System and method for mitigating snoring in an adjustable bed

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for mitigating snoring in an adjustable bed. The systems and methods may include monitoring a sensor for a first reading indicative of a snoring user, activating an actuator to move the adjustable bed into an anti-snore position, monitoring the adjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snore position, monitoring the sensor for a second reading indicative of a non-snoring user, and after failing to receive the second reading, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into a second anti-snore position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/408,778, filed Nov. 1, 2010 and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/508,958, filed Jul. 18, 2011, all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the following U.S. patentapplications, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety: Ser. No. 12/704,117, filed Feb. 11, 2010; Ser. No. 12/256,029,filed Oct. 22, 2008; and Ser. No. 12/269,987 filed Nov. 13, 2008.

This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/855,255 filed Sep. 14, 2007, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

This invention relates to the field of adjustable beds, and morespecifically to information technology facilities associated withadjustable beds.

2. Description of the Related Art

Adjustable furniture, including chairs, couches, beds, and otherfurniture, may contain at least one section of component of which a usermay control a feature or attribute, such as the position, vibration,motion, or the like of that section or component. The user may typicallyadjust the bed by using a control, which may be an on-furniturecontroller or a remote controller, to move an adjustable section in oneor more directions of movement. Additionally, the adjustable furnituremay include various types of mattresses, cushions, pillows, or similarelements to cushion the furniture for the user, and the furniture mayallow for vibration, heating, cooling, or other action related to one ormore of the sections.

A typical adjustable bed may consist of a wood decking for each of thesections of the bed connected together with hinges to allow the variouspositions between the sections. There are actuators connected betweenthe bed frame and the wood decking for moving the adjustable sectionsinto user-desired positions. The adjustable bed may have a “wallhugging” feature that maintains a consistent distance between themattress and the wall as the bed is adjusted. Some adjustable beds mayuse wooden or plastic slats to support the mattress instead of a solidwood platform.

The adjustable bed may have at least one actuator to position theadjustable bed sections. In some cases, there is one actuator toposition more than one, such as positioning both the thigh and footsections with one actuator. There may also be more than one actuator foreach adjustable section.

Hospitals have used adjustable beds for many years to providecomfortable and medically required positions, and many home users haveadjustable furniture because of a medical issue and therefore requirecertain positions, movements, or settings (such as vibration, heating,cooling or the like) to aid recovery, positioning to relieve discomfortas a result of pain, or the like. These users, whether at home or in amedical environment such as a hospital, nursing home, assisted livingfacility, or long-term care facility, may, because of these issues,spend significant amounts of time in bed, and some users may be confinedto spending long periods of time in or on furniture. With agingpopulations in many countries, such as the United States, more and moreusers face such confinement.

Associated with the trend for users to spend more time in sedentarypositions, such as in bed, is a trend toward increasing use oftechnology in home and medical environments, including in rooms whereusers have adjustable furniture. Such technology includes increasinglysophisticated computer and networking technology, entertainmenttechnology, information technology, and the like. While many existingadjustable beds provide the basic requirements of moving sections topositions that are required by a user, a need exists for adjustablefurniture that works in better association with other technologies thatare capable of being deployed in the environments in which the furnitureis used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods and systems are disclosed herein for improved integration ofadjustable furniture, such as beds, with the technologies associatedwith the environments in which the beds are used. Such methods andsystems include facilitating using control systems for the adjustablefurniture to control a wide range of other technologies; actuating awide range of actions as a result of events, states or attributesassociated with the adjustable furniture, use of the adjustablefurniture, or users of the furniture; and controlling the adjustable bedas result of events, states or attributes of the environment of theadjustable bed.

It should be understood that where context permits as would beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art references herein toadjustable beds should be understood to be capable of encompassing arange of adjustable furniture facilities, including beds, couches,chairs, love seats, and the like.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include storing preferencesassociated with an adjustable furniture facility and at least one secondsystem in a plurality of memory locations, wherein the second system isany of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as alighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CDplayer, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a musicplayer, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technologysystem, computer system, information technology system, networkingsystem or other device or system, such as described in any of theembodiments disclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a modularcontroller for controlling an adjustable furniture facility and at leastone second system associated with the adjustable furniture facility in aplurality of memory locations, wherein the second system is any of thedevices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lightingsystem, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, atelephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system,computer system, information technology system, networking system orother device or system, such as described in any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a globalcommand input to command more than one facility associated with anadjustable furniture facility using a single input, wherein the globalcommand input is enabled by a modular controller capable of controllingan adjustable furniture facility and an second system associated withthe adjustable furniture facility, wherein the second system is any ofthe devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lightingsystem, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, atelephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system,computer system, information technology system, networking system orother device or system, such as described in any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a globalcommand input to command more than one facility associated with anadjustable furniture facility using a single input, wherein the globalcommand input is enabled by a modular controller capable of controllingan adjustable furniture facility and an second system associated withthe adjustable furniture facility, wherein the second system is any ofthe devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lightingsystem, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, atelephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system,computer system, information technology system, networking system orother device or system, such as described in any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein, wherein the modular controller has a touch screen foraccepting user input.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using aprogrammable logic controller in a control facility for an adjustablefurniture facility. The programmable logic controller may control thebed or any of the devices or systems disclosed herein that areassociated with the environment of the furniture.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using aprogrammable logic controller in a control facility for an adjustablefurniture facility and an second system, wherein the second system isany of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as alighting system, an air purification system, an audio system, a CDplayer, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a musicplayer, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainment technologysystem, computer system, information technology system, networkingsystem or other device or system, such as described in any of theembodiments disclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include storing memory forcontrolling an adjustable furniture facility, wherein at least a portionof the memory is stored remotely from the bed.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include storing memory usedto store data used for controlling an adjustable furniture facility andan second system, wherein at least a portion of the memory is storedremotely from the bed, wherein the second system is any of the devicesor systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lighting system, anair purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, aDVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a videosystem, or an entertainment technology system, computer system,information technology system, networking system or other device orsystem, such as described in any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing memory tostore data for controlling an adjustable furniture facility, wherein thememory is removable and replaceable.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing memory tostore data for controlling an adjustable furniture facility and ansecond system, wherein the memory is removable and replaceable, whereinthe second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed in thisdisclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, anaudio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarmclock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainmenttechnology system, computer system, information technology system,networking system or other device or system, such as described in any ofthe embodiments disclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a remotecontroller for an adjustable furniture facility that has at least onebed position command set and at least one command set enabling a user toat least one of play, adjust volume, fast forward, and rewind using adevice associated with the bed.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using two-waycommunications between a remote control facility and a controller for anadjustable furniture facility.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using two-waycommunications between a remote control facility and a controller for anadjustable furniture facility and an second system, wherein the secondsystem is any of the devices or systems disclosed in this disclosure,such as a lighting system, an air purification system, an audio system,a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, amusic player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainmenttechnology system, computer system, information technology system,networking system or other device or system, such as described in any ofthe embodiments disclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a cellularphone to provide communication with the control box for an adjustablefurniture facility, wherein entering a command on the phone controls afunction of the adjustable furniture facility.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a cellularphone to provide communication with the control box for an adjustablefurniture facility and an second system, wherein entering a command onthe phone controls a function of the adjustable furniture facility,wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed inthis disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system,an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, analarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or anentertainment technology system, computer system, information technologysystem, networking system or other device or system, such as describedin any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a touchscreen interface to allow a user to provide a control command to adjusta bed position of an adjustable furniture facility.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include using a touchscreen to provide a control command to adjust a bed position and toprovide a control function to a second system associated with theadjustable furniture facility wherein the second system is any of thedevices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lightingsystem, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, atelephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system,computer system, information technology system, networking system orother device or system, such as described in any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing acontroller for an adjustable furniture facility, the controller capableof controlling a function of the bed and controlling an MP3 player.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing acontroller for an adjustable furniture facility, the controller capableof managing at least one wireless communication function, the wirelesscommunication function a BLUETOOTH communication, an 802.11communication, a WIFI communication, and a peer-to-peer communication.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing acontroller for an adjustable furniture facility and a second system, thecontroller capable of managing at least one wireless communicationfunction, the wireless communication function a BLUETOOTH communication,an 802.11 communication, a WIFI, and a peer-to-peer communication,wherein the second system is any of the devices or systems disclosed inthis disclosure, such as a lighting system, an air purification system,an audio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, analarm clock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or anentertainment technology system, computer system, information technologysystem, networking system or other device or system, such as describedin any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a controlsystem for an adjustable furniture facility, the control systemaccepting spoken commands to control a function of the adjustablefurniture facility.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may include providing a controlsystem for an adjustable furniture facility and a second system, thecontrol system accepting spoken commands to control a function of theadjustable furniture facility, wherein the second system is any of thedevices or systems disclosed in this disclosure, such as a lightingsystem, an air purification system, an audio system, a CD player, an MP3player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarm clock, a music player, atelephone, a video system, or an entertainment technology system,computer system, information technology system, networking system orother device or system, such as described in any of the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a touch sensor on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transmitter and the like. The touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a frame position of an adjustable bed.The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that mayreceive input from the touch sensor, for communication control signalsto the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from thetouch sensor.

In embodiments, the touch sensor may be a capacitive touch sensor. Inembodiments, the slider may be in the form of a dial, a linear strip, acurvilinear strip, a curve, and the like.

In embodiments, the transmitter may be a transceiver and may be adaptedto transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol to the adjustable bed and receive data from the adjustable bed.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a touch sensor on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transmitter and the like. The touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a massage motor setting of an adjustablebed. The transmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that mayreceive input from the touch sensor, for communication control signalsto the adjustable bed in accordance with the input received from thetouch sensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a touch sensor on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transmitter and the like. The touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. Thetransmitter may be electrically coupled to a processor that may receiveinput from the touch sensor, for communication control signals to theadjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the touchsensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on afront face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face ofthe handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. Thesecond touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting aparameter of an audiovisual system. The transmitter may be electricallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and secondtouch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bedin accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on afront face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face ofthe handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. Thesecond touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting aparameter of an audio system. The transmitter may be electricallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and secondtouch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bedin accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on afront face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face ofthe handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. Thesecond touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting aparameter of a remote computer facility. The transmitter may beelectrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from thefirst and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to theadjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the firsttouch sensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on afront face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face ofthe handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. Thesecond touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting aparameter of a HVAC system. The transmitter may be electrically coupledto a processor that may receive input from the first and second touchsensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bed inaccordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on afront face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face ofthe handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. Thesecond touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting aparameter of a kitchen appliance. The transmitter may be electricallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and secondtouch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bedin accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on afront face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face ofthe handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. Thesecond touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting aparameter of an alarm system. The transmitter may be electricallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and secondtouch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bedin accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on afront face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face ofthe handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. Thesecond touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting aparameter of a vehicle system. The transmitter may be electricallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the first and secondtouch sensors, for communicating control signals to the adjustable bedin accordance with the input received from the first touch sensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a first touch sensor on afront face of the handheld housing, a second sensor on a front face ofthe handheld housing, a transmitter, and the like. The first touchsensor may be presented in a slider form and may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. Thesecond touch sensor may be adapted to facilitate the user in adjusting asecond parameter of the adjustable bed facility. The transmitter may beelectrically coupled to a processor that may receive input from thefirst and second touch sensors, for communicating control signals to theadjustable bed in accordance with the input received from the firsttouch sensor.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a touch screen on a frontface of the handheld housing, a plurality of images presented on thetouch screen each representative of a different function associated withan adjustable bed, a transmitter for the communication of the controlsignal to the adjustable bed, and the like. Each of the plurality ofimages may be coded to generate a control signal in response to aninteraction with the image.

In embodiments, at least one of the images may be adapted to produce acontrol signal when touched and may produce an additional control signalwhen touched for a predetermined period of time. In embodiments, atleast one of the images may be configured to accept an interaction bysliding across the image.

In embodiments, the adjustable bed handheld remote control may includean auxiliary image presented on the touch screen, which may berepresentative of a function associated with an auxiliary system. Theauxiliary system may include an audiovisual system, an audio system, acomputer system, an HVAC system, a kitchen appliance, an alarm system, avehicle system, and the like.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The userinterface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameterof an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to aprocessor that may receive input from the user interface. Thetransceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface, and may receive data indicativeof a receipt of the control signals from the adjustable bed.

In embodiments, the transceiver may operate following BLUETOOTHprotocol. In embodiments, the transceiver may be an RF transceiver.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The userinterface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a frameposition of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronicallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface.The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface, and may receive data indicatingthat the frame position has been achieved by the adjustable bed.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The userinterface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a massagemotor setting of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may beelectronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from theuser interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from theadjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed inaccordance with the input received from the user interface, and mayreceive data indicating that the massage motor setting has been achievedby the adjustable bed.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transmitter, a receiver and the like.The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting aparameter of an adjustable bed. The transmitter may be electronicallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface.The transmitter may transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface. The receiver may receive dataindicative of a receipt of the control signals from the adjustable bed.

In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver may operate at differentfrequencies.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, a receiver and the like.The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting aframe position of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may beelectronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from theuser interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from theadjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed inaccordance with the input received from the user interface. The receivermay receive data indicating that the frame position has been achieved bythe adjustable bed.

In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver may operate at differentfrequencies.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, a receiver and the like.The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting amassage motor setting of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may beelectronically coupled to a processor that may receive input from theuser interface. The transceiver may transmit control signals from theadjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed inaccordance with the input received from the user interface. The receivermay receive data indicating that the massage motor setting has beenachieved by the adjustable bed.

In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver may operate at differentfrequencies.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The userinterface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameterof an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to aprocessor that may receive input from the user interface. Thetransceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface and may receive data indicativeof an error encountered in a control system of the adjustable bed.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The userinterface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameterof an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to aprocessor that may receive input from the user interface. Thetransceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface. The transceiver may transmitdiagnostic control signals from the adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol to the adjustable bed to cause a controller of the adjustablebed to go into a diagnostic mode and may receive data indicative receivedata indicative of the diagnostic mode from the adjustable bed.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The userinterface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a frameposition of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronicallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface.The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface. The transceiver may receive dataindicative of a new setting of the adjustable bed and may displayinformation on the adjustable bed remote control indicative of the newsetting.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The userinterface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameterof an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to aprocessor that may receive input from the user interface. Thetransceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface. The transceiver may receive dataindicating that the frame position has been achieved and may displayinformation on the adjustable bed remote control indicative of the frameposition.

In embodiments, the information displayed on the adjustable bed remotecontrol may be a position number associated with the frame position.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The userinterface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a massagesetting of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronicallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface.The transceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface. The transceiver may receive dataindicating that the massage setting has been achieved and may displayinformation on the adjustable bed remote control indicative of themassage setting.

In embodiments, the information displayed on the adjustable bed remotecontrol may be a position number associated with the massage setting.

In embodiments, a method for displaying a number indicative of the dataon a handheld remote control may be provided. The method may includesending a control signal to an adjustable bed to change an adjustableparameter of the adjustable bed, causing the adjustable bed to changethe adjustable parameter in accordance with the control signal, causingthe adjustable bed to send data indicative of a new setting indicativeof the changed adjustable parameter and displaying a number indicativeof the data on a handheld remote control.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transceiver, and the like. The userinterface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting a parameterof an adjustable bed. The transceiver may be electronically coupled to aprocessor that may receive input from the user interface. Thetransceiver may transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface. The transceiver may receive dataindicating a new setting of the adjustable bed and may display graphicalinformation on the adjustable bed remote control indicative of the newsetting.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, and a user interface on afront face of the handheld housing. The user interface may be adapted tofacilitate a user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed anddisplaying a graphical representation of the adjustable bed parameter.

In embodiments, the graphical representation of the adjustable bedparameter may indicate a current status of the parameter as indicated bythe adjustable bed.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, and a user interface on afront face of the handheld housing. The user interface may be adapted tofacilitate in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed, adjusting aparameter of an auxiliary system, displaying a graphical representationof the adjustable bed parameter and displaying a graphicalrepresentation of the auxiliary system parameter.

In embodiments, the graphical representation of the adjustable bedparameter may indicate a current status of the parameter as indicated bythe adjustable bed.

In embodiments, the graphical representation of the auxiliary systemparameter may indicate a current status of the parameter as indicated bythe auxiliary system.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a user interface on a frontface of the handheld housing, a transmitter, a receiver, and the like.The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user in adjusting aparameter of an adjustable bed. The transmitter may be electronicallycoupled to a processor that may receive input from the user interface.The transmitter may be adapted to transmit control signals from theadjustable bed handheld remote control to the adjustable bed inaccordance with the input received from the user interface. The receivermay be electronically coupled to the processor and may be adapted toreceive data from the adjustable bed indicative of a new setting of theadjustable bed. The user interface may display graphical information onthe adjustable bed remote control indicative of the new setting.

In embodiments, the transmitter and receiver may operate at differentfrequencies.

In embodiments, a method for displaying a graphical representation ofthe adjusted parameter may be provided. The method may include sending acontrol signal to an adjustable bed from a handheld remote control toadjust a parameter of the adjustable bed, and displaying a graphicalrepresentation on the handheld remote control in response to receivinginformation from the adjustable bed indicating that the parameter hasbeen adjusted. The graphical representation may be illustrative of theadjusted parameter.

In embodiments, a method for displaying a graphical representation ofthe adjusted parameter may be provided. The method may include sending acontrol signal at a first frequency to an adjustable bed from a handheldremote control to adjust a parameter of the adjustable bed anddisplaying a graphical representation on the handheld remote control inresponse to receiving information at a second frequency from theadjustable bed indicating that the parameter has been adjusted. Thegraphical representation may be illustrative of the adjusted parameter.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a touch screen userinterface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transceiver, andthe like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitate a user inadjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transceiver may beadapted to transmit control signals from the adjustable bed handheldremote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with the inputreceived from the user interface and may be adapted to receive data fromthe adjustable bed indicative of a new setting of the adjustable bed.The graphical information indicative of the new setting may be displayedon the touch screen user interface and the user may adjust the parameterby interacting with the graphical information displayed on the touchscreen.

An apparatus disclosed herein includes an adjustable bed handheld remotecontrol that may include a handheld housing, a touch screen userinterface on a front face of the handheld housing, a transmitter, areceiver, and the like. The user interface may be adapted to facilitatea user in adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed. The transceivermay be adapted to transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface. The receiver may be adapted toreceive data from the adjustable bed indicative of a new setting of theadjustable bed. The graphical information indicative of the new settingmay be displayed on the touch screen user interface and the user mayadjust the parameter by interacting with the graphical informationdisplayed on the touch screen.

In embodiments, a method for adjusting a parameter associated with theadjustable bed may be provided. The method may include presenting aninteractive graphical representation illustrative of an adjustableparameter of an adjustable bed, manipulating the interactive graphicalrepresentation, sending a control signal to the adjustable bed inaccordance with the manipulation and causing the adjustable bed torespond to the control signal.

In embodiments, a method for causing the bed massage motor to be setaccording to a user selected setting may be provided. The method mayinclude storing multiple values that may define a range of availablesettings for a bed massage motor, receiving a request to set the bedmassage motor as the user selected setting, determining a value amongstthe multiple values which may represent the user selected setting andcausing the bed massage motor to be set to the user selected setting byusing the value that represents the user selected setting. Storing ofthe multiple values may include storing a table having multiple entries.Each one of the multiple entries may specify one of the ranges ofavailable settings for the bed massage motor.

In embodiments, the user selected setting may be an intensity setting, amode setting, a frequency setting, or some other type of setting.

In embodiments, a method for storing an association of a current settingvalue with a user-selected position of the bed massage motor may beprovided. The method may include storing multiple values that may definea range of available settings for a bed massage motor, receiving arequest to save a setting of the bed massage motor as a user selectedsetting, determining which of the multiple values represents a currentsetting of the bed massage motor to provide a current setting value andstoring an association of the current setting value with theuser-selected position. Storing multiple values may include storing atable having multiple entries. The multiple entries may specify one ofthe ranges of available settings for the bed massage motor. Storing theassociation of the current setting value with the user-selected settingmay include adding a store indication to each one of the multipleentries of the table except for the one of the multiple entriesrepresenting the current setting value.

In embodiments, a method for storing an association of a current settingvalue with a user-selected position of the bed massage motor may beprovided. The method may include storing a plurality of values that maydefine a range of available settings for a bed massage motor, receivinga request to save a setting of the bed massage motor as a user selectedsetting, determining which of the multiple values may represent acurrent setting of the bed massage motor to provide a current settingvalue and storing the association of the current setting value with theuser-selected position. Storing multiple values may include storing atable having multiple entries. The multiple entries may specify one ofthe ranges of available settings for the bed massage motor. Storing theassociation of the current setting value with the user-selected settingmay include adding a store indication to the table entry representingthe current setting value.

In embodiments, a method for storing an association of a current settingvalue with a user-selected position of a bed function may be provided.The method may include storing a plurality of values that may define arange of available settings for a bed function, receiving a request tosave a setting of the bed function as a user selected setting,determining which of the multiple values may represent a current settingof the bed function to provide a current setting value and storing theassociation of the current setting value with the user-selectedposition. Storing multiple values may include storing a table havingmultiple entries. The multiple entries may specify one of the ranges ofavailable settings for the bed function. Storing the association of thecurrent setting value with the user-selected setting may include addinga store indication to the table entry representing the current settingvalue.

In an aspect of the invention, an adjustable bed handheld remote controlmay include a handheld housing; a user interface on a front face of thehandheld housing, wherein the user interface is adapted to facilitate auser adjusting a parameter of an adjustable bed; a transmitter,electronically coupled to a processor that receives input from the userinterface, adapted to transmit control signals from the adjustable bedhandheld remote control to the adjustable bed in accordance with theinput received from the user interface; a receiver, electronicallycoupled to the processor, adapted to receive data from the adjustablebed indicative of a new setting of the adjustable bed; and apiezoelectric circuit disposed inside the handheld housing, wherein thepiezoelectric circuit is adapted to indicate accomplishment of the newsetting of the adjustable bed, the indication being marked withvibration of the handheld remote control.

In an aspect, a method for operating an adjustable bed may includereceiving information about a first wireless interface of a remotecontrol at a first wireless communication module from the remotecontrol, configuring a second wireless communication module using theinformation, the second wireless communication module adapted forcommunications with an adjustable bed and the second wirelesscommunication module employing a second wireless interface incompatiblewith the first wireless interface, receiving a command for controllingthe adjustable bed from the remote control through the first wirelessinterface, processing the command to produce a control signal suitablefor communication over the second wireless interface that causes theadjustable bed to physically respond to the command, and transmittingthe control signal through the second wireless interface. Theincompatible wireless communications modules may be incompatible at aphysical layer. The information may include a MAC address. Establishingcommunications may include establishing communications via aconnection-based protocol. The command may be a lay-flat command, andwherein the control signal activates an actuator to move the adjustablebed toward a laying-flat position limit. The method where the command isa lay-flat command may further include detecting a motion of theadjustable bed caused by the actuator, detecting a halt in the motion,starting a timeout period in response to the halt, and deactivating theactuator in response to expiration of the timeout period. Receivinginformation may be done via Bluetooth and receiving a command may bedone via WiFi.

In an aspect, a device may include a first wireless interface controlledby a first wireless communication module adapted for communications witha remote control, a second wireless interface controlled by a secondwireless communication module adapted for communications with anadjustable bed, wherein the first wireless interface is incompatiblewith the second wireless interface, and a processor programmed toreceive a first signal from the remote control through the firstwireless communication module, to identify an adjustable bed command inthe first signal, to generate a second signal suitable for communicationto the adjustable bed through the second wireless communication module,and to communicate the second signal to the adjustable bed. Theincompatible wireless communication modules may be incompatible at aphysical layer. The information may include a MAC address. The computerprogram code, when run by the processor, may further perform a step ofestablishing connection-based communications between the second hardwarewireless communication module and the remote wireless interface. Thedevice may further include the adjustable bed, and an actuator disposedwith the adjustable bed, the actuator that responds to the controlsignal by moving the adjustable bed into a lay-flat position, whereinthe command is a lay-flat command, and wherein the computer programcode, when run by the processor, may further perform the followingsteps: detecting a motion of the adjustable bed caused by the actuator,detecting a halt in the motion, starting a timeout period in response tothe halt, and deactivating the actuator in response to expiration of thetimeout period. The first wireless interface may be a Bluetoothinterface and the second wireless interface may be a WiFi interface.

In an aspect, a computer program product may be embodied in anon-transitory computer readable medium that, when run by a processor,may perform the following steps: receiving, via a first hardwarewireless communication module, information about a remote wirelessinterface, configuring a second hardware wireless communication moduleusing the information, receiving, via the second hardware wirelesscommunication module, a command for controlling an adjustable bed, andproducing, in response to the command, a control signal that causes theadjustable bed to physically respond to the command. The computer code,when run by the processor, may further perform the following steps:detecting a motion of the adjustable bed caused by an actuator,detecting a halt in the motion, starting a timeout period in response tothe halt, and deactivating the actuator in response to expiration of thetimeout period. Receiving information may be done via Bluetooth andreceiving a command may be done via WiFi.

In an aspect, a computer program product may be embodied in anon-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program productincluding computer code that, when run by at least one computing device,may perform the steps of: receiving, via a first communication channel,a first command for controlling an adjustable bed, this step ofreceiving causing a timeout period to begin, controlling the adjustablebed in response to the first command, failing to receive, via the firstcommunication channel and prior to expiration of the timeout period, asecond command for controlling the adjustable bed, attempting, afterexpiration of the timeout period, to receive the second command byalternating between tuning to the first communication channel and tuningto a second communication channel, receiving the second command whiletuned to one of the first and the second communication channels, andafter receiving the second command, attempting to receive a thirdcommand by remaining tuned to one of the first and the secondcommunication channels.

In an aspect, a method of synchronously controlling a plurality ofadjustable beds using a single remote control may include receiving aninput for controlling an adjustable bed, transmitting, responsive to theinput, a bed-control command to a first adjustable bed, starting a firsttimeout period in response to the act of transmitting to the firstadjustable bed, failing to receive a first acknowledgement from thefirst adjustable bed prior to expiration of the first timeout period,transmitting, responsive to expiration of the first timeout period, thebed-control command to a second adjustable bed, starting a secondtimeout period in response to the act of transmitting to the secondadjustable bed and retransmitting, responsive to an earlier expirationof the second timeout period and receipt of an acknowledgement from thesecond adjustable bed, the bed-control command to the first adjustablebed.

In an aspect, a method in an adjustable bed may include activating anactuator to move the adjustable bed toward a laying-flat position limit,detecting a motion of the adjustable bed caused by the actuator,detecting a halt in the motion, starting a timeout period in response tothe halt, deactivating the actuator in response to expiration of thetimeout period.

In an aspect, a system may include a communication module including bothhardware and a protocol stack capable of communicating at least at 1Mbps via a broadcast network, a peer-to-peer network, a secureauthenticated network, a star network, a shared uni-directional network,a shared bi-directional network, an ad-hoc automatically shared network,a scanning mode network, a practical mesh network, and a shared clusternetwork, a programmable logic controller operatively coupled to thecommunication module, a bed-lift motor operatively coupled to theprogrammable logic controller, and a computer program product embodiedin a non-transitory computer readable medium and operatively coupled tothe programmable logic controller, the computer program productincluding computer code that, when run by the programmable logiccontroller, may perform the steps of: receiving, via the communicationmodule, a command for controlling an adjustable bed, and producing, inresponse to the command, a control signal that causes the bed-lift motorto move a part of the adjustable bed. The computer code, when run by theprogrammable logic controller, may further perform the steps of:detecting movement of the part of the adjustable bed caused by thebed-lift motor, detecting a halt in the movement, starting a timeoutperiod in response to the halt, and deactivating the bed-lift motor inresponse to expiration of the timeout period.

In an aspect, a method in an adjustable bed may include monitoring asensor for a first reading indicative of a snoring user, activating anactuator to move the adjustable bed into an anti-snore position,monitoring the adjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snoreposition, monitoring the sensor for a second reading indicative of anon-snoring user, and after failing to receive the second reading,activating the actuator to move the adjustable bed into a secondanti-snore position. Monitoring the sensor for the first reading mayinclude monitoring the sensor in response to receipt of ananti-snore-mode activation signal from a remote control.

In an aspect, a system may include an adjustable bed including anactuator that moves an adjustable portion of the adjustable bed betweena plurality of positions, a sensor that produces a reading indicative ofa snoring user, a handheld remote control including a touchscreengraphical user interface, the remote control adapted to transmit ananti-snore-mode activation signal in response to user selection of anicon via the interface, and a controller operatively coupled to theactuator and the sensor, the controller adapted to carry out thefollowing steps: receiving the activation signal, monitoring, inresponse to receipt of the activation signal, a sensor for a firstreading indicative of a snoring user, activating the actuator to movethe adjustable bed into an anti-snore position, and monitoring theadjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snore position. Thecontroller may be further adapted to carry out the following steps:monitoring the sensor for a second reading indicative of a non-snoringuser, and after failing to receive the second reading, activating theactuator to move the adjustable bed into a second anti-snore position.

In an aspect, a method of controlling an adjustable bed may include inresponse to an indication by a user that the user would like theadjustable bed in a position to mitigate snoring, causing a bed frameposition controller to move a mechanical component of the adjustable bedto a pre-selected position and causing the controller to confirm thatthe pre-selected position has been achieved by monitoring the positionof the mechanical component and comparing the position of the mechanicalcomponent with the pre-selected position. The bed frame positioncontroller may maintain the pre-selected position in a table ofpositions along with an indication that the pre-selected position is theposition to mitigate snoring. The user may initiate the indication bymaking a selection on a hand held remote control. The hand held remotecontrol may include a touch screen graphical user interface and theselection is made by touching a selectable icon indicative of theposition to mitigate snoring. The hand held remote control may include atelephone feature. The hand held remote control may include a cell phonefeature. The hand held remote control may include a VoIP feature.

In an aspect, a method of controlling a plurality of adjustable beds mayinclude using a remote control of a first adjustable bed to command thefirst adjustable bed to perform a function, adapting the firstadjustable bed to communicate with a second adjustable bed, causing thefirst adjustable bed to communicate at least one of the command and acurrent setting of the adjustable bed to the second adjustable bed, andcausing the second adjustable bed to interpret the communication. Thecommunication may be interpreted as a command.

In an aspect, a method of wireless communication between adjustable bedsmay include adapting a first adjustable bed to wirelessly communicatewith a second adjustable bed, causing the first adjustable bed towirelessly communicate at least one of a command, a setting, apreference, a software update, and a report to the second adjustablebed, and adapting the second adjustable bed to receive the wirelesscommunication. The wireless communication protocol may be one of radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, and WIFI.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages ofthe present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and thedrawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated intheir entirety by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The systems and methods described herein may be understood by referenceto the following figures:

FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of an adjustable bed facility andassociated components.

FIG. 1B shows a block diagram of an adjustable bed facility andassociated components.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of two methods of maintaining user memory forstoring user preferred adjustable bed positions.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a remote control used to command theadjustable bed facility.

FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of the shipping of a mattress retainerbracket in the upside down position.

FIG. 4B shows an embodiment of the shipping of a mattress retainerbracket in the upright position

FIG. 5A shows a top view of a vibration motor within an opening of anadjustable bed facility section lateral surface.

FIG. 5B shows a side view of a vibration motor within an opening of anadjustable bed facility lateral surface.

FIG. 6 shows a typical hospital adjustable bed.

FIG. 7 shows one use of actuators connected to the bed frame and theadjustable sections.

FIG. 8 shows more than one actuator for each adjustable bed section; inthis case, there are two actuators for each adjustable section.

FIG. 9 shows an adjustable bed using slats instead of wood decking forthe foundation of the adjustable sections.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an adjustable bed facility according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows operation of an adjustable bed facility according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a hinge joint between the frames/sections of an adjustablebed facility.

FIG. 13 shows a gusset in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 shows mounting of a control box, a receiver, and a power supplyon an adjustable bed facility according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 shows an accelerometer, a control box, and a processor of anadjustable bed facility according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 depicts remote control devices with slider controls in circularand linear configurations.

FIG. 17A depicts a remote control to control a frame position of anadjustable bed.

FIG. 17B depicts a remote control to control a massage motor setting ofan adjustable bed.

FIG. 17C depicts a remote control to control an adjustable parameter ofan adjustable bed.

FIG. 18A depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed andan audiovisual system.

FIG. 18B depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed andan audio system.

FIG. 18C depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed anda computer facility.

FIG. 18D depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed anda HVAC system.

FIG. 18E depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed anda kitchen appliance.

FIG. 18F depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed anda vehicle system.

FIG. 18G depicts a remote control for controlling an adjustable bed andan alarm system.

FIG. 18H depicts a remote control for controlling first and secondparameters of an adjustable bed.

FIG. 19 depicts a remote control for controlling the parameters of anadjustable bed.

FIGS. 20A-L depict a remote control for controlling the parameters of anadjustable bed 1824 in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 21A and 21B depict a remote control with a touch screen userinterface in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 depicts a flow chart for changing an adjustable parameterassociated with an adjustable bed.

FIGS. 23 and 24 depicts a flow chart for displaying a graphicalrepresentation of an adjustable parameter associated with an adjustablebed in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 25 and 26 depict a flow chart for adjusting an adjustableparameter associated with an adjustable bed in accordance with variousembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 27 depicts a remote control with a piezoelectric circuit of anadjustable bed in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 28 depicts a remote control and communication module of anadjustable bed facility.

FIG. 29 depicts a flow chart for communicating with and through anadjustable bed facility.

FIG. 30 depicts an interaction diagram for communications between aremote control and a number of adjustable bed facilities.

FIG. 31 depicts a flow chart for controlling more than one adjustablebed facility using a single remote control.

FIG. 32 depicts an adjustable bed facility outfitted with a motionsensor and related logic.

FIG. 33 depicts a flow chart for laying an adjustable bed facility flat.

FIG. 34 depicts an embodiment of a controller and a communicationsmodule.

FIG. 35 depicts an embodiment of an adjustable frame for the head.

FIG. 36 depicts an adjustable bed facility.

FIG. 37 depicts a user, adjustable bed facility, and mattressinstrumented with sensors.

FIG. 38 depicts a flow chart for adjusting an adjustable bed facility.

FIG. 39 depicts a remote control.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, terms such as ‘adjustable mattress’,‘adjustable bed’, ‘adjustable bed facility’ and the like are usedinterchangeably to refer generally to an apparatus including a sleepingor resting surface with one or more adjustable or moveable sub-surfacesthat can be positioned for user comfort and/or convenience, unless aspecific meaning is explicitly provided or otherwise clear from thecontext.

As users spend more and more time in adjustable beds they may desire tohave a level of independence by controlling devices that may be in theroom from the adjustable bed. The devices and facilities that users maywish to control may include audio equipment, video equipment, lamps, airpurification facilities, power outlets, and the like. It may bedesirable for the user to control these devices and facilities from theadjustable bed without having to leave the bed or ask for aid fromsomeone else. For example, the user may be confined to the bed and maywant the simple ability to control the lights around the adjustable bed.

In an embodiment, an adjustable bed may not be the only rest facility tobenefit from position and additional function control. Users may alsouse beds, adjustable beds, adjustable chairs, adjustable couches, andthe like to provide comfortable positions when the user may have limitedmobility. For example, a user that has had hip replacement surgery maynot be confined to bed but may require a chair or couch to be adjustableto provide a comfortable sitting position while providing control ofother devices within the room to limit the number of times the user mustget up and adjust the devices. In an embodiment, while recovering from asurgery, an injury, an illness, or the like, the user may use more thanone type of rest facility. The user may require confinement to anadjustable bed for a time and then, with health improvement, be able tomove to either an adjustable chair or adjustable couch.

Aspects of the invention may be described as an adjustable bed, but itmay be understood that the same aspects may be applied to other restfacilities that may include a bed, a couch, a chair, or the like. Suchrest facilities may be in a home, a car, a recreational vehicle, acruise ship, an airline, a train, or anywhere that a user required them,and they may be fixed or mobile.

One aspect of this invention may be to provide the adjustable bed withmore than one power option to move the adjustable bed sections. Theadjustable bed may use electric motors with gearboxes, pneumaticsprings, hydraulic springs, or the like to actuate the adjustable bedsections. There may be both pricing and durability reasons to have thedifferent actuation types.

Another aspect of this invention may be to provide the ability toprovide additional functionality to the adjustable bed by using modularcontrols that may be able to communicate with the user's interfacecontrol. The modular controls may be designed to control a number ofadditional devices and facilities that may include audio devices, videodevices, lamps, air purification facilities, power outlets, and thelike.

Another aspect of the adjustable bed may be to provide a supportstructure to support the bed materials (e.g. mattress), motors,actuators, hinges between bed sections, and the like. The supportstructure may be a frame structure to provide the support yet remainlightweight.

Another aspect may be the use of replaceable memory to maintain the bedmemory and software applications. The replaceable memory may allow userspecific information to be moved from one adjustable bed to anotheradjustable bed. This may be useful in care facilities where a user maymove from one bed to another bed during the stay in the care facility.If the user has saved a preferred positioning of the adjustable bed,when the user moves to another bed, the preferred positioning settingsmay be moved to the other bed with the user.

Another aspect of the adjustable bed may be to provide safety featuresthat may control the retraction of the adjustable bed sections to reducethe risk of crushing an object that may be under the adjustable bed.Many other aspects of the present invention will become apparent byreading the disclosure herein.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of the various components of anadjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, the adjustable bedfacility 102 may be made up of a plurality of layers that may include amechanical layer 104, a sensor layer 108, a control layer 110, and anetwork layer 112, and one or more auxiliary systems 114. In addition,the adjustable bed facility 102 may interact with a remote control 118and the like. In an embodiment, the auxiliary systems 114 may include anentertainment system 114 a, a kitchen appliance 114 b, a vehicle controlsystem 114 c, a light control system 114 d, a home control system 114 e,and the like. In an embodiment, the auxiliary systems 114 may becombined with the adjustable bed facility 102, stand-alone devices, orthe like.

In an embodiment, the mechanical layer 104 may include physical aspectsof the adjustable bed facility 102 that provide support for the user.The mechanical layer 104 may include actuators, springs, mattresses, asub-frame, a skeleton structure, vibration motors, supports, and safetybrackets of the adjustable bed facility 102. These support andconnection members may have any shape or configuration required toprovide the support and connections needed by the various othercomponents.

In an embodiment, the sensor layer 108 may include a plurality ofsensors of various types. The sensor layer 108 may be interchangeablyreferred as sensor 108 within this disclosure. The sensors may bemechanical sensors, electrical sensors, bio-sensors, and so on. Inembodiments, the sensor(s) may be associated with the various mechanicaland electrical components that make up the mechanical layer 104. Forexample, the sensor(s) may be associated with an actuator to assess theposition of the actuator or the mechanical pressure being exerted on theactuator or some other mechanical component. The sensor(s) may also beassociated with an electrical component to assess the electricalcomponent's condition. In other embodiments, the sensors may beassociated with the mattress such that sleeping, resting, sitting, andother user conditions can be assessed. The information from the sensorlay may be fed back into a processor (e.g. within the electrical layer)for processing and response control. The response control may alter acondition of the adjustable bed, the mattress, an auxiliary system, orthe like. The information from the sensor layer may also be processedand communicated to a remote control.

In an embodiment, the control layer 110 may coordinate the electronicrequirements of the adjustable bed facility 102. The control layer 110may interface with the sensor layer 108, the network layer 112, theremote control 118, the auxiliary systems 114, and the like. In anembodiment, the control layer 110 may receive control requests from auser for controlling the adjustable bed facility 102 functions byinterfacing with the remote control 118. In an embodiment, the remotecontrol 118 may communicate with the sensor layer 108 so that the lattermay transmit the received requests to the control layer 110. In anembodiment, the control layer 110 may be combined with the adjustablebed facility 102, or it may be attached to the adjustable bed facility102, or it may be a modular stand-alone device, or the like. In anembodiment, the control layer 110 and the sensor layer 108 may beindividual devices or a combined device.

In an embodiment, the control layer 110 may also control functions ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 using a wired or wireless technology. Inan embodiment, the wireless technology may include WIFI, BLUETOOTH,ultra-wideband (UWB), wireless USB (WUSB), IEEE 802.11, cellular, or thelike. The various controlled functions may be able to communicate usingthe wireless technology, and may use an intermediate wireless receiver,a router, or the like to communicate with the control layer 110.

In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may be a user controlled deviceto provide control commands to the control layer 110 relating to certainfunctions of the adjustable bed facility 102. These functions may beadjustable bed facility section movement (e.g., up or down), vibrationcontrol, functions of modular devices, or the like. In an embodiment,the remote control 118 may communicate with the control box using wiredcommunication, wireless communication, or the like. In an embodiment,the wireless communication may use a radio frequency (RF), infrared(IR), BLUETOOTH, WIFI network, or the like. If the remote communicatesusing a wireless technology, the communication may be with the sensorlayer 108, and the sensor layer 108 may pass the command request to thecontrol layer 110.

In embodiments, the remote control may include a cellular phone or smartphone, such as and without limitation an IPHONE, or the like. The remotecontrol 118 may be used to direct any and all functions of theadjustable bed facility 102, for example by receiving user input,converting the input into control signals, and transmitting the controlsignals to the adjustable bed facility 102. Receiving user input mayinclude receiving touch screen inputs, voice inputs, picture or videoinputs, acceleration inputs (e.g., rotating the remote control 118relative to the acceleration of gravity, shaking the remote control 118,and so on), magnetic inputs (e.g., orienting the remote control 118relative to Earth's magnetic field), and so on. For example, an IPHONEapp may be used to control any of the functions of the adjustable bedand/or associated devices.

In an embodiment, the network layer 112 may be used to connect thecontrol layer 110 to a network connection. In an embodiment, the networkconnection may be a LAN, a WAN, an Internet, an intranet, peer-to-peernetwork, or the like. Using the network connection 112, the controllayer 110 may be able to communicate with computer devices on thenetwork. In an embodiment, the network layer 112 may facilitate wired orwireless connection. In an embodiment, the network layer 112 may becombined with the adjustable bed facility 102, or it may be attached tothe network layer 112, or it may be a modular stand-alone device, or thelike.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary systems 114 may provide additionalfunctionality to the adjustable bed facility 102 or the user of theadjustable bed facility 102 that may include a plurality of functionaldevices, for example, entertainment system 114 a, kitchen appliance 114b, vehicle control system 114 c, light control system 114 d, homecontrol system 114 e, child monitoring system, or the like. Thisadditional functionality may be considered optional equipment that maybe offered with the adjustable bed facility 102 or used in theenvironment associated with the adjustable bed facility 102. In anexemplary scenario, the user may be able to control the audio-visualsystem via the remote control 118. The user may control the volume ofthe audio-visual system of the entertainment system 114 a using aninterface provided on the remote control 118. The remote control 118 maysend the signals to the sensor layer 108. The sensor layer 108 maytransmit the signals to the control layer 110. The control layer 110 maygenerate the control signals and transmit to the audio-visual system. Inanother exemplary scenario, the user may be able to control the lightcontrol system 114 d, for example, to turn the light on/off, and dim thelight or the like. The control signals may be generated and transmittedto the light control system 114 d. Similarly, the remote control 118 mayprovide the input to control the kitchen appliance 114 b, the vehiclesystem 114 c (e.g., a remote starter for the vehicle), or otherauxiliary systems as shown in FIG. 1.

In an embodiment, the auxiliary systems 114 and the remote control 118may have wired or wireless communication. In an embodiment, the wirelesscommunication may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH,WIFI network, or the like.

A remote control may be configured to support more than one bed, such asto allow a parent who uses a remote controlled adjustable bed to alsomonitor and/or control a child's adjustable bed. Multi-bed remotemonitoring and control may allow a parent to monitor status and activityassociated with a child's bed even when the parent is in another room,such as a master bedroom while the child is in his/her own bedroom. Inan environment with more than two adjustable beds, the remote may bepaired with one or more of the beds to allow access to certain features,such as monitoring and control features on the remote for the pairedbeds. In an example, a parent may have an infant and a nine-year oldeach sleeping in separate rooms in an adjustable bed. The parent maypair a remote control (that may also be used by the parent to control amaster bedroom adjustable bed) with the infant's bed for certainfeatures and with the nine-year old child's bed for other features.

Now referring to FIG. 1B, a block diagram of the various components ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 is shown. In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility 102 may be made up of a number of devices andfacilities that may include a sensor 108, actuators 120, springs 122,mattresses 124, a sub-frame 128, a skeleton structure 130, vibrationmotors 132, supports 134, safety brackets 138, an electronic facility140, an air purification facility 160, a zone climate control system162, a remote control 118, a memory facility 164, a memory connection174, a network connection 178, and the like. In an embodiment, theelectronic facility 140 may include a wire harness 142, communicationsmodule 144, modular controls 148, a controller 150, power outlets 154, apower connection 158, and the like. In an embodiment, the memoryfacility 164 may include a receiver learn facility 168, bed memory 170,a backup battery 172, and the like. In an embodiment, the receiver learnfacility 168, bed memory 170, and backup battery 172 may not be part ofthe memory facility 164, but may be combined into other facilities ordevices, be stand-alone devices, or the like.

In an embodiment, the physical aspects of the adjustable bed facility102 that provide support for the user may include the actuators 120,springs 122, mattresses 124, a sub-frame 128, a skeleton structure 130,vibration motors 132, supports 134, and safety brackets 138.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may provide the centralstructure that the other physical aspects may interact with. In anembodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may provide direct support to themattress 124, springs 122, and the like. In an embodiment, the skeletonstructure 130 may be a lightweight frame structure that may provide boththe strength and rigidity required to properly support the mattress 124and springs 122. In embodiments, the skeleton structure 130 may usematerials that include metal, plastic, wood, or the like; the materialsmay be used individually or in combination.

In an embodiment, springs 122 may be used with a mattress 124, insteadof a mattress 124, or the like. In an embodiment, the springs 122 may bea standard bed spring system (e.g. coils within a wire framework),individual coil springs, individual foam springs, air springs, or thelike. In an embodiment, the individual springs (e.g. coil, foam, or air)may be used to provide variable firmness to provide comfort to the user.For example, the springs 122 may be less firm or firmer in a local areato provide the user with the support that may be required for a bodylocation that is experiencing discomfort (e.g. a hip, shoulder, back,neck). Springs that may have local firmnesses will be described in moredetail below.

In an embodiment, the mattress 124 may include foam, feathers, springs122, material, or the like. In an embodiment, the different materialsmay be used individually or in combination. The mattress may be intendedto provide the user with a firmness that provides for the comfortrequirements of the user.

In an embodiment, the mattress 124 may be an air mattress 124. In anembodiment, the air mattress 124 may be constructed using a singlechamber, a plurality of chambers, a plurality of individual chambers, acombination of chamber shapes, or the like. In an embodiment, the airmattress 124 may be inflated to various pressures that may provide theuser with the desired comfort level. In an embodiment, there may beseparate air mattresses 124 for each of the adjustable bed facility 102sections. For example, there may be separate air mattresses 124 for thehead, torso, and foot sections of the adjustable bed facility 102. In anembodiment, the inflation pressure of the individual air mattresses 124may be different from each other depending on user settings.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 sections may eachcontain individual air mattresses 124. For example, the head, torso, andfoot sections may each have individual air mattresses that may beindividually controlled for air pressures and therefore firmness. In anembodiment, the user may be able to control the firmness of theindividual air mattresses 124 using a remote control 118. In anembodiment, the remote control 118 may have indicators for each of thefirmness adjustable air mattresses 124. For example, the remote control118 may have keys for increasing or decreasing the pressures of theindividual air mattresses. Using the remote control 118, the user may beable to adjust the firmness of the adjustable bed facility sections.

In an embodiment, the air mattress 124 may use a common air supplysource facility as an air actuator 120. In an embodiment, a controller150 may control both the air mattress 124 and air actuator 120. Thecontroller 150 may provide controlling commands to both the air mattress124 and air actuators 120.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may have structural membersthat support the mattress 124 and springs 122 and may also providesupport and connections for the actuators 120, sub-frame 128, supports134, vibrator motors 118, safety bracket 138, and the like. In anembodiment, the structural members may be positioned on the peripheraledges of the mattress 124 and springs 122 to provide overall support andrigidity to the mattress 124 and springs 122 and may form the base ofthe individual adjustable bed facility 102 sections. Additionally, theremay other structural members as support, cross pieces, or the like thatmay provide additional support to the mattress 124 and springs 122 asmay be required. A person knowledgeable in the art may understand thatthe frame structure may have many different construction configurationsto provide support and rigidity to the mattress 124 and springs 122.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may form the base of theadjustable bed facility 102 sections that may be moved relative to eachother to provide the various bed positions required by the user. Theadjustable bed facility 102 may include more than one section; a sectionmay be fixed or may be adjustable. For example, the typical adjustablebed may have adjustable sections for the head, leg, and foot while thetorso section may remain fixed and horizontal. There may be differentcombinations of movable and fixed sections with one or all of thesections being movable. In an embodiment, the sections may include theskeleton structure 130, mattress 124, springs 122, and the like, and mayindividually be small mattress structures of the entire adjustable bedfacility 102 mattress.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed sections may be connected togetherusing hinges or like devices that allow a freedom of motion between twoadjacent adjustable bed facility 102 sections. In an embodiment, onesection of the adjustable bed may remain fixed, such as the torsosection, and act as the foundation for the other movable sections to bepositions. In an embodiment, any or none of the sections may be a fixedfoundation section in the adjustable bed facility 102. In embodiments,there may be more than one adjustable bed facility 102 configurationdepending on the requirements of a user, cost requirements, medicalneeds, or the like. For example, there may be a configuration where onlythe head section is adjustable to provide the user with the ability tohave an elevated upper body position. This configuration may be a singlepurpose bed but may also provide the user with a less expensiveadjustable bed facility 102 that meets the user's needs. One skilled inthe art may understand that there may be many different adjustable bedfacility configurations containing fixed and moveable sections.

This moveable section may also provide support and connection membersfor the components that may be used

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130, as part of each adjustablebed facility 102 section, may also provide support and connectionmembers for the components that may be used to move the variousadjustable bed facility 102 sections. There may be skeleton structure130 members that provide connection support to the actuators 120,supports 134, safety brackets 138, vibration motors 132, and the like.These support and connection members may have any shape or configurationrequired to provide the support and connections needed by the variousother components. For example, in addition to the skeleton structure 130that is used to provide support to the mattress 124 and springs 122there may be at least one cross member that may provide a connection tothe actuator 120 and safety bracket 138.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 and the sub-frame 128 mayinterface with each other; the sub-frame 128 may provide structuralsupport and a rigid foundation base to the skeleton structure 130. In anembodiment, the sub-frame 130 may be the rigid structure that is incontact to the floor and may provide a base for any fixed adjustable bedfacility 102 sections and an interface for any movable adjustable bedfacility 102 sections. In an embodiment, the sub-frame 128 legs may beconnected to the sub-frame 128 using a threaded stud into threads of thesub-frame 128. In an embodiment, to prevent the threaded stud frompulling out of the legs during tightening, the head of the threaded studmay be fixed between two or more layers of leg material. Thisconstruction may trap the threaded stud head to prevent it from movingaway from the end of the leg and may also prevent the threaded stud headfrom being pulled through the end of the leg during the tightening ofthe leg to the sub-frame. In addition, the two or more layers of legmaterial may provide for added strength to the sub-frame 128 legs toprevent distortion at the sub-frame 128 and leg interface. In an exampleof a fixed torso section, the sub-frame 128 may provide a base tosolidly connect the torso section to provide a fixed non-moving section.The other moveable sections may be moveably connected to the fixed torsosection and additionally supported by the sub-frame 128 using a moveableinterface connection.

In an embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may have structural members that mayrun along the length of the adjustable bed facility 102, run along thewidth of the adjustable bed facility 102, run diagonally across theadjustable bed facility 102, or other orientation in relation to theadjustable bed facility 102 that may be required for support orconnection to components.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may be used as an RFantenna for receiving communication from the remote control 118. Inembodiment, the entire skeleton structure 130 may be used as an antenna;a portion of the skeleton structure 130 may be used as an antenna, orthe like.

In one embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may provide solid connections forany fixed section and skeleton structure 130 by rigidly connecting theskeleton structure 130 directly to the sub-frame 128. In this manner,any fixed section and skeleton structure 130 may be rigidly connected tothe sub-frame 128, and through the sub-frame 128, rigidly connected tothe floor.

In another embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may provide an interface forthe fixed adjustable bed facility 102 section and skeleton structure 130where the fixed section may be able to move or slide in relation to thesub-frame 128. By providing a non-rigid interface connection between thesub-frame 128 and the skeleton structure 130, the fixed adjustable bedfacility 102 section may have freedom of motion but still may besupported by the sub-frame in a solid foundation manner. For example,the fixed adjustable bed facility 102 section may have wheels that runin a track, groove, “C” channel, or the like of the sub-frame 128 andmay be able to move horizontally during the motion of one or more of themovable adjustable bed facility 102 sections. In an embodiment, thehorizontal freedom of motion may provide for a “wall hugger” featurewhere, as the head section is adjusted up or down, the fixed torsosection may move, along with the head section, horizontally forward andaway from an adjacent wall to maintain a fixed distance between the headsection and the wall, therefore “hugging” the wall. It may be understoodby one skilled in the art that the moveable interface between theskeleton structure 130 and sub-frame 128 may be any type of interfacethat may allow freedom of motion between the sub-frame 128 and skeletonstructure 130.

In an embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may provide an interface for thefixed adjustable bed facility 102 section and skeleton structure 130where the fixed section may be able to move or slide in relation to thesub-frame 128.

In an embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may provide an interface for thefixed adjustable bed facility 102 section and the skeleton structure 130where the fixed section may move away or towards in relation to thesub-frame 128.

In an embodiment, any adjustable sections may have two connections: afirst connection provided by a hinge type connection and a secondconnection provided by the connection with the actuator 120 and safetybracket 138 that provide the force to rotate the adjustable bed facility102 section up or down. In an embodiment, the hinge type connectionbetween the skeleton structure 130 of a first section and a secondsection may provide the point of rotation for the section motion. In anembodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may contain more than onesection and any or all of the sections may be connected by a hinge typeconnection.

In an embodiment, there may be a support gusset for connection betweenthe actuator 120 and the adjustable bed facility 102 section. Inembodiments, the gusset may be an I beam, a T beam, an L beam, a boxbeam, or any other beam design that may provide the strength to lift thecombined weight of the adjustable bed facility 102 section and the userwithout bending. In an embodiment, to resist bending forces at theconnections to the actuator 120 and the adjustable bed facility 102section, the ends of the gusset may be reinforced. In embodiments, thereinforcement may be an additional bracket added to the ends of thegusset, such as a U bracket or any other bracket shape, to provide forincreased material thickness and strength of the gusset ends. Thethickness of the additional bracket may be determined by the amount offorce and torque that may need to be resisted during the adjustable bedfacility 102 section movements.

With the adjustable bed facility 102 sections interconnected by usinghinge type connections, there may be at least one actuator 120 that mayprovide a connection between a fixed adjustable bed facility 102 sectionand a moveable section. In an embodiment, the hinge connection betweenthe adjustable bed facility 102 sections may be a pivot point bracketthat may include additional strengthening to resist bending forces.Similar to the gusset described above, the pivot point connections mayhave additional reinforcement, such as a U bracket or any other shapedbracket, to provide for increased material thickness and strength toresist bending forces. The thickness of the additional bracket may bedetermined by the amount of force and torque that may need to beresisted during movement of the adjustable bed facility 102 section. Inan embodiment, the actuation 120 connection may be between two of theskeleton structures 114. For example, a first end of the actuator 120may be connected to the fixed torso section of the adjustable bedfacility 102 and a second end of the actuator 120 may be connected tothe section that is to be moved (e.g. head, leg, or foot sections). Inan embodiment, the actuator 120 may use electric motors and mechanicalgears, pneumatic pressure, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic spring, airspring, hydraulic spring or the like to provide the force to extend andretract the actuator 120. The action of extending and retracting theactuator 120 may move the various movable bed sections up or down. Bythe actuator 120 pushing against the section, the section may rotateupward around the pivot point provided by the hinge type connection. Inthe same manner, by the actuator 120 pulling against the section, thesection may rotate downwards and around the pivot point provided by thehinge type connection. In an embodiment, there may be at least oneactuator 120 for every moveable adjustable bed facility 102 section.

In an embodiment, the combination of actuator 120, safety bracket 138,and supports 134 may provide a safety feature to prevent an object thatmay be under the adjustable bed facility 102 from being damaged,impinged, crushed, or the like during the decent of the adjustable bedfacility 102 section. During the downward motion of one adjustable bedfacility 102 sections, the section may come in contact with an objectthat is under the adjustable bed facility 102. If the actuator 120 isallowed continuing to pull the section in the downward direction, theobject may be crushed under the force the actuator 120 may apply. In anembodiment, the safety bracket 138 may have a slot that may provide timeto determine that there is an object under the section that is movingdownward.

In an embodiment, the slot may have a first side that is on the oppositeside of the slot from the actuator 120 and a second side that is on thesame side as the actuator 120. In an embodiment, the slot that isbetween the first side and the second side may be of any length. In anembodiment, the actuator may push against the first side to move theadjustable bed facility 102 section in an upward direction. In anembodiment, during the downward motion of the section, the actuator 120may move at the same speed as the adjustable bed facility 102 sectionand therefore the actuator connection to the safety bracket 138 mayremain within the safety bracket 138 slot without contacting either thefirst or second sides of the slot. In an embodiment, the section maymove in the downward direction under the weight of the section withoutthe actuator 120 pulling on the second side of the safety bracket 138.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 section downwardspeeds may be further controlled by supports 134 that may provideresistance to the section motion to control the rate of decent. In anembodiment, the support 134 may be a pressurized device using pneumaticpressure, hydraulic pressure, or the like to provide a resistive forceto slow the decent of the adjustable bed facility 102 section. In anembodiment, the supports may provide enough resistance to control therate of decent of the section as the actuator 120 is retracted.

In an embodiment, as the actuator 120 retracts, the adjustable bedfacility 102 section, with the aid of the support 134, may descend atthe same rate as the as the actuator 120 is retracting. By matching therates of the actuator 120 retraction and the adjustable bed facility 102section descending, the actuator 120 connection within the safetybracket 138 slot may remain within the slot area and not contact eitherthe first or second side of the slot. In an embodiment, as the sectiondescends, if an object is encountered, the adjustable bed facility 102sections may stop its decent and the actuator 120 connection will movewithin the safety bracket 138 slot without pulling the section downward.In an embodiment, the amount of time that the actuator 120 connection ismoving within the safety bracket 138 slot while the adjustable bedfacility 102 section is stopped may provide time to the user to realizethat an object has been contacted and to stop the downward motion of thesection.

In an embodiment, an additional safety feature may be the addition of ashut off sensor, shut off switch, or the like on the first side of thesafety bracket 138 slot to stop the retraction of the actuator 120 ifthe actuator 120 connection comes in contact with the first side of theslot. In this manner, if the actuator 120 connection with the safetybracket 138 slots reaches the first side of the slot, the actuator 120retraction may be stopped and the adjustable bed facility 102 sectionwill not be forcibly pulled down into the object that may be under thesection. In an embodiment, there may be an indication to the user thatthe actuator 120 connection has come in contact with the first side ofthe slot and the adjustable bed facility 102 sections downward motionhas been stopped. In an embodiment, the indication may be an audioindication, a visual indication, a motion indication (e.g. vibration),or the like to indicate to the user that the motion has been stopped andthere may be an obstruction with the adjustable bed facility 102section.

In an embodiment, an additional safety feature may be the dual motion ofone or more moveable section of the adjustable bed facility 102 to stopthe side-to-side movement of a user. In such an arrangement, when thehead portion of the individual moves, the head section may be restrictedfrom movement by nestling in a groove or the like, around the headportion of the user. In a similar manner, the fixed torso portion of theuser may also move side-to-side along with the head portion. The fixedtorso section of the adjustable bed facility 102 may form a groovearound the moving torso portion of the individual, allowing the user torest its torso portion inside the formed groove. Also, the foot sectionmay be moved to form a groove around the foot portion of the user.

In an embodiment, there may be at least one vibration motor 132 that mayprovide vibration and massage functions to the adjustable bed facility102 sections and mattresses 124. In an embodiment, there may bevibration motors 132 associated with any of the adjustable bed facility102 sections. In an embodiment, there may be more than one vibrationmotor 132 for each adjustable bed facility 102 section that may havevibration motors 132. In an embodiment, using the remote control 118,the user may be able to control the vibration mode of the variousvibration motors 132; the mode may include the vibration setting for aparticular bed section, the vibration frequency of at least one of thevibration motors, stopping the vibration of at least one of thevibration motors, or the like. The user may vary the vibration frequencyfor the particular bed section that has been positioned for a longduration. For example, the user may require different vibrationfrequencies for a body location that is experiencing discomfort (e.g. ahip, shoulder, back, neck). Such an arrangement may allow the user tovary the vibration frequency settings of various sections of theadjustable bed facility 102 in case of inflexibility, pain or the likeof any body portion.

In an embodiment, the vibration motors 118 may be operated independentlyor in combination. In an embodiment, the user may select a vibrationmode on the remote control 118 and the controller 150 may use a softwareapplication to control the various vibration motors 118 to the user'srequest.

In an embodiment, the vibration motor 132 may be an electric/mechanicaldevice, a pneumatic device, a hydraulic device, or the like. Themechanical device may use an electric motor to rotate an offset mass tocreate a vibration; the vibration motor may be controlled for vibrationfrequency and amplitude by the speed of rotation of the electric motor.Referring to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, an embodiment of a vibration motor 132is shown within an opening of a adjustable bed facility 102 supportlateral surface 508. The adjustable bed facility 102 section may have alateral surface 508 and the lateral surface 508 may include an openingin which the vibration motor 132 may be located; the vibration motor 132may fit within the opening such that the vibration motor 132 may notcontact the lateral surface 508.

In an embodiment, the vibration motor 132 may be secured to theadjustable bed facility 102 section using at least one bracket 504. Inan embodiment, when more than one bracket 504 is used, at least one ofthe brackets 504 may be separable and removable. In an embodiment, theat least one bracket 504 may be shaped to secure the vibration motor 132within the section opening such as a straight bracket, a U shapedbracket, an L shaped bracket, or the like; in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B thebracket 504 is shown as a straight bracket 504. In an embodiment, theremoval of one of the brackets 504 may facilitate securing the vibrationmotor 132 to the bed section, facilitating the servicing of thevibration motor 132, or the like. The bracket 504 may be positioned suchthat at least one portion of the bracket 504 is within the opening ofthe lateral surface 508 and may also be positioned such that the bracket504 may overlap the vibration motor 132 flange. The bracket 504 mayprovide support to the vibration motor 132 flange along a majority ofthe perimeter of the mattress support opening. The bracket 504 may becoupled to the mattress support 508 using a removable coupling. Removingthe bracket 504 may facilitate removing and servicing the vibrationmotor 132. The vibration motor 132 flange may extend beyond theperimeter of the opening of the mattress support 508 and the resilientmaterial 502 may provide positional support for the motor so that theflange may impart vibration to the mattress without contacting themattress support. The resilient material 502 may provide mechanicalinsulation between the flange and the perimeter of the opening in themattress support 508. The resilient material 502 disposed between theflange and the lateral support 508 surface of the bracket 504 mayfurther provide positional support for the vibration motor 132 housing.

The bracket 504 may be constructed using material such as plastic,metal, or the like, and may be constructed using the materialsindividually or in combination. In an embodiment, there may be aresilient material 502 associated with the brackets 504, the resilientmaterial may provide for dampening the vibration between the vibrationmotor 132 and the adjustable bed facility 102, may contact the vibrationmotor 132 to secure the vibration motor 132 to the bed section, mayprovide for dampening of vibration to the adjustable bed facility 102and hold the vibration motor 132 in place, or the like. The resilientmaterial 502 may include latex foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylenefoam, polyethylene foam, or the like and may be used individually or incombination.

In an embodiment, either of the pneumatic or hydraulic devices may actas a vibration motor 132 increasing and decreasing the pressure within acylinder, bladder, or the like at certain frequencies to provide thevibration required by the user. In an embodiment, a device to providethe pressure frequency may be part of the vibration motor 132, aseparate device from the vibration motor 132, or the like.

In an embodiment, the vibration facility 132 may be connected to theskeleton structure 130, the mattress 124, the lateral surface 508, orthe like where the vibration may be imparted into the adjustable bedfacility 102 mattress 124 as desired by the user. In an embodiment, thevibration motor 132 flange may provide surface area that may impart avibration into the mattress 124. In another embodiment, the vibrationmotor 132 may be in proximity to a vibration distribution facility (notshown) that may aid in the propagation of vibration energy to theadjustable bed facility 102 sections. In an embodiment, the vibrationmotor 132 may be operatively connected to the vibration distributionfacility, may be in contact with the vibration distribution facility,may not be in contact with the vibration distribution facility, or thelike. The vibration distribution facility may be constructed usingmaterials such as plastic, rubber, metal, or the like and may beconstructed using these materials individually or in combination. In anembodiment, the vibration distribution facility may provide for a moreuniform distribution of the vibration characteristics of the vibrationmotor 132 and may have a size and shape relative to the size and shapeof the adjustable bed facility 102 section.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility102 may have an electronic facility 140 that may contain components thatprovide control of the physical aspects of the adjustable bed facility102 (e.g. actuator, vibration motors), interface with the remote control118, interface with networks, interface with bed memory 170, controlelectronic devices of the adjustable bed facility 102, and the like.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may have the sensor108 that may be combined with the adjustable bed facility 102; or it maybe attached to the adjustable bed facility 102; or it may be a modular,stand-alone facility; or the like. In an embodiment, the sensor 108 maybe connected to the electronic facility 140 and may interface with thecontroller 150.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may coordinate the electronicrequirements of the electronic facility 140. In an embodiment, thecontroller 150 may interface with the communications module 144, remotecontrol 118, air purification facility 160, power outlets 154, powersupply 152, power connection 158, modular controls 148, wire harness142, and the like. In an embodiment, the controller 150, communicationsmodule 144, and power supply 152 may be mounted directly to the skeletonstructure 130.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may receive its command requestfrom the user requesting adjustable bed facility 102 functions using theremote control 118. In an embodiment, the remote may communicate to thecommunications module 144 and the receiver may transmit the receiveduser command request to the controller 150. Therefore, communicationsmodule 144 may be bi-directional. In an embodiment, the communicationsmodule 144 and controller 150 may be individual devices or may becombined into a single device.

In an embodiment, the remote control 118 and communications module 144may have wired or wireless communication. In an embodiment, the wirelesscommunication may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH,WIFI network, or the like. In an embodiment, the communications module144 may receive the user commands from the remote control 118 andtransmit the same command to the controller 150; the communicationsmodule 144 may not provide any interpretation of the remote control 118commands. In an embodiment, the remote control 118 and communicationsmodule 144 may be communication matched by the use of a code key. Thecode key may be any indicator that may be interpreted by the remotecontrol 118 and communications module 144 that commands may be receivedand executed between the remote control 118 and communications module144. In embodiments, the code key may be a number, a word, a serialnumber, a bed identification, a remote identification, a useridentification, or any other identification known to both the remotecontrol 118 and communications module 144, all an indication thatcommunications should be received. The code key may be transmitted asthe beginning of the communication, the end of the communication, aspart of the communication or the like. Additional aspects of thecommunications module 144 between the adjustable bed facility 102 andthe remote control 118 are described hereinafter with reference to FIG.28 et seq.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may be used as an RFantenna for receiving communication from the remote control 118 to thecommunications module 144. In embodiment, the entire skeleton structure130 may be used as an antenna; a portion of the skeleton structure 130may be used as an antenna, or the like.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may also control the functions ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 using a wireless technology in place of,or in coordination with, the wire harness 142. In an embodiment, thewireless technology may include BLUETOOTH, ultra-wideband (UWB),wireless USB (WUSB), WIFI, IEEE 802.11, cellular, or the like. Thevarious controlled functions (e.g. actuators 120 or external devices)may be able to communicate using the wireless technology, may use anintermediate wireless receiver, router, or the like to communicate withthe controller 150.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 wireless communication may use awireless network protocol that may include peer-to-peer communication,master/slave communication, as a hub, as a server, or the like. In anembodiment, the wireless communication may be used to control more thanone adjustable bed facility. For example, the user may be able tocontrol his/her adjustable bed facility and may additionally be able tocontrol another adjustable bed that may be within the range of thecommunication method.

In an embodiment, the cellular communication may utilize a cell phone, asmart phone, or the like to provide the communication method with thecontroller 150, modular controls 148, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller 150 may be a programmable control controller (PLC) and may beconfigured from programmable logic circuits. In an embodiment, the usermay use a menu on the cell phone for adjustable bed functions that maybe controlled by the cell phone. For example, the cell phone technologymay be able to control the bed position and vibration characteristics ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 and therefore the cell phone menu maypresent the user with options for controlling the bed position andvibration.

In an embodiment, if the communication between the remote control 118and communications module 144 is wireless, the receiver learn facility168 may be used to establish the communication between them. In anembodiment, a learn protocol between the remote control 118 andcommunications module 144 may be user initiated by pressing a button onthe receiver learn facility 168, powering up the receiver learn facility168, bringing the receiver learn facility 168 within a certain proximityof the communications module 144, indicating on the remote control 118to begin the learn protocol, or the like. In an embodiment, the learnprotocol may be fully automatic, semi-automatic with user intervention,manual, or the like. In an embodiment, a user may select a channel,frequency, or the like during learn protocol or after the learnprotocol. The changing of the channel, frequency, or the like mayprevent two different remote control 118 and communications module 144combinations from interfering with other wireless communication devices.In an embodiment, each time the learn protocol is executed, a new uniquecommunication link may be established; there may be a plurality ofunique communication links available for each remote control 118 andcommunications module 144 combination.

In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may be a user controlled deviceto provide control commands to the controller 150 to command certainfunctions of the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, thecertain functions may be adjustable bed facility section movement (e.g.up or down), vibration control, modular controlled 132 devices, or thelike. In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may communicate with thecontrol box using wired communication, wireless communication, or thelike. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may use a radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, WIFI network, or the like. Ifthe remote communicates using a wireless technology, the communicationmay be with the communications module 144 and the communications module144 may pass the command request to the controller 150.

In embodiments, the communications module 144 of one bed may be adaptedto communicate with the communications module 144 of another bed, suchas by a wireless communication protocol including a radio frequency(RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, WIFI network, or the like. For example,a king size adjustable bed may comprise two side-by-side twin sizeadjustable beds. Each of the twin size beds may have a communicationsmodule 144. A single remote control may be used to adjust each of thetwin size beds simultaneously, and in some embodiments, each of the twinsize beds may be separately adjustable with individual remote controls.In any event, the communications modules 144 may be adapted to signal tothe other bed. The signal may be related to synchronizing a motion ofthe beds, implementing a safety feature, communicating an error,communicating a software update, communicating a preference,communicating a setting, communicating a report, and the like. In someembodiments, upon receiving the signal from the other bed, the signaledbed may interpret the signal as a command.

In an embodiment, the inputs of the remote control 118 may be organizedinto groups of common function control; the remote control 118 groupsmay be arranged in a circular orientation. As shown in FIG. 3, theremote control 118 may include more than one group 302 and may includeat least one positioning control group and one vibration control group.In one embodiment, the remote control 118 groups 302 may be organizedinto a circular pattern where the circular pattern may provide forinputs that control increasing a function, decreasing a function,storing a function, global command functions 304, or the like. Forexample, a circular group 302 may be divided up into a number ofsegments to control certain functions of the adjustable bed facility102. FIG. 3 shows four sections for each of the circular groups 302, butit should be understood that there may be any number of sections toprovide the required adjustable bed facility 102 control.

In one example, one of the circular groups 302 may be used to controlmovements of the adjustable bed facility 102 sections. The movementcircular group 302 may have inputs for moving the head section up/down,moving the foot section up/down, inputs for storing a user preferredpositions to the controller 150, or the like. Additionally, there may bea global command input 304 that may provide for commanding more than oneadjustable bed facility 102 function using a single input such ascommanding the adjustable bed facility 102 to go to a flat position. Forexample, the user may be able to select the flat button and theadjustable bed facility 102 may move all of the adjustable sections tothe flat position.

A vibration circular group 302 may have inputs for controlling thevibration of the head section up/down, controlling the foot sectionvibration up/down, inputs for storing a user preferred vibrationcharacteristics to the controller 150, or the like. Additionally, theremay be a global command input 304 that may provide for commanding morethan one adjustable bed facility 102 vibration characteristic using asingle input such as commanding the adjustable bed facility 102 to stopall vibration. For example, the user may be able to select the stopvibration input and the adjustable bed facility 102 may stop all of theadjustable sections from vibrating. In an embodiment, the user mayselect the all stop global 304 input to stop the adjustable bed facility102 vibration before selecting a different vibration characteristic forone of the adjustable bed facility 102 sections.

In an embodiment, the user may be able to determine the controlfunctions that the global command 304 may control. For example, the usermay be able to input a command sequence to indicate the global commandthat should be applied to the global command 304 input. In anembodiment, the global command may be stored in the adjustable bedfacility 102 memory 164 for later recall. In an embodiment, after theglobal command 304 has been stored, the user may select the globalcommand 304 input for the command sequence execution.

The function of the remote control 118 has been described withcontrolling adjustable bed facility 102 movement and vibration, but itshould be understood that the remote may have control inputs for anyfunction of the adjustable bed facility 102. Additionally, the controlinputs have been described as having a circular pattern, but it shouldbe understood that other embodiments of the control input organizationmay be used for controlling the function of the adjustable bed facility102.

The remote control 118 may include a timer that has a user definedsetting that may allow the user to determine when the remote control 118communicates a control command to the adjustable bed facility. Forexample, the user may be able to set a timer on the remote control 118to indicate a time when the adjustable bed facility 102 is to go to aflat position. The user may use this function in the evening where theuser may want to read for a half hour and then go to sleep, the usercould set the timer for a half hour and the adjustable bed facility 102may go to the flat position after the half hour. In another embodiment,the timer may be a clock where the user may be able to set a time whenthe adjustable bed facility 102 is to complete a certain function. In anembodiment, the user may be able to indicate the command that the remotecontrol 118 is to transmit to the adjustable bed facility 102 when thetimer or clock setting indication has been reached.

In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may be able to directly controlthe settings of external power outlets associated with the adjustablebed facility 102. The power outlet may be an RF controlled power outletand the remote control 118 may be able to transmit an RF commanddirectly to the RF power outlet. In an embodiment, the power outlet mayinclude settings of at least on, off, a percentage of power, or thelike. The power outlet control power setting may be controlled by ahardware setting, a software setting, or the like. The power outlet maybe an AC powered power outlet or a DC powered power outlet.

The remote control 118 may include a timer that has a user definedsetting that may allow the user to determine when the remote control 118communicates a control command to the RF power outlet. For example, theuser may be able to set a timer on the remote control 118 to indicate atime when the RF power outlet is to turn on or off. For example, theuser may use this function in the evening where the user may want toread for a half hour and then go to sleep, the user could set the timerfor a half hour to turn off a power outlet that controls a lightfixture, after the half hour the remote control 118 may command the RFpower outlet to turn off and therefore turn the light fixture off. Inanother embodiment, the timer may be a clock where the user may be ableto set a time when the RF power outlet may turn on or off. In anembodiment, the user may be able to indicate the command, such as on oroff, that the remote control 118 is to transmit to the RF power outletwhen the timer or clock setting indication has been reached.

In an embodiment, the user may indicate adjustable bed facility 102functions using the remote control 118 by pressing a button, touching ascreen, entering a code, speaking a command, or the like. In anembodiment, the controller 150, using the communications module 144, mayreceive and interpret the command provided by the remote control 118.The remote may control devices with commands that may include on, off,high power, medium power, low power, volume, play, fast forward, rewind,skip, modular device to control, or the like. For example, the remotecontrol 118 may transmit a command to move the head section up and thecontroller 150 may command the actuator 120 to extend a certain amountin response to the command. In another example, the remote control 118may command that a modular control 148 connected lamp be turned off. Thecontroller 150 may command the controller 150 to turn off the lamp.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the controller 150 may usethe bed memory 170 to store adjustable bed facility 102 settings,application software, demonstration software, and the like. In anembodiment, the user may determine that certain adjustable bed locationsare preferred and should be saved for future recall. The controller 150may save the user preferred settings in the bed memory 170 in order torecall the preferred settings at the use request. In an embodiment, thecontroller 150 may also store non-user requested information to the bedmemory 170 as needed for the control of the various adjustable bedfacility 102 components. For example, when the user requests anadjustable bed facility 102 sections to move, the controller 150 maystore the last position into bed memory 170 to be used as a lastposition recall, an undo command, the last settings for the entireadjustable bed facility 102 component at shutdown, or the like.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 application software may be storedin the bed memory 170. In an embodiment, the software may be downloadedto the controller 150, may be run from the bed memory 170, or the like.In an embodiment, the application software may be an interrupt typeapplication, a polling type application, or the like for sensing whatcommand the user may have indicated on the remote control 118. Forexample, in an interrupt application, each command requested by theremote control 118 may send an interrupt code to the controller 150. Thecontroller 150 may then request from the application software thecommand sequence that is associated with the received interrupt. Inanother example, the polling application may continually poll the remotecontrol 118 for requested user commands and when a user command isdetected, then request the command sequences for the requested usercommand.

In another embodiment, the controller 150 may use a programmable logiccontroller (PLC) or the like to store application programs for controlof the adjustable bed facility components. The controller 150 mayinclude programmable logic circuits for facilitating application programstore and execution. In an embodiment, the PLC may be part of thecontroller 150, part of a bed memory 170, in a separate control box, orthe like. In an embodiment, the controller 150 may include amicrocomputer, a microprocessor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,IO connection to components, or the like. The controller 150 may providean interface to permit software application updates to the controllermemory; controller memory may be over written. In an embodiment, thismay provide a method and system for providing software applicationupgrades to the adjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the controller may have a connection to an externalinterface that may allow updates to be downloaded to the controller 150.The connection may be a serial connection, a USB connection, a USBdevice, a parallel connection, a wireless connection, a bed memory 170,or the like. The capability to download information to the controller150 may allow for controller updates including software updates, remotecontrol 118 interface updates, memory updates, or the like. For example,if the user was supplied with a new or upgraded remote control 118, theuser may also be supplied with updated software for the controller 150.The user may be able to connect the device containing the new softwareto the external interface and download the new software to thecontroller 150.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may have a connection interfacewith the modular controls 148 to provide the user with control overother devices that may be connected to the adjustable bed facility 102.The controller 150 may receive commands from the remote control 118 forthe modular controls 148 and may pass the command through to the modularcontrol 148, may interpret the remote control 118 command and commandthe modular control 148, or the like.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may interface with a modularcontrol 148 that is associated with external power outlets. In thisembodiment, the user may be able to control the setting of the externalpower outlet by selecting a setting on the remote control 118. Thesetting on the remote control 118 may be received by the communicationsmodule 144 and/or the PLC (e.g. within the controller 150) to set thepower outlet setting. For example, the user may be able to turn on theexternal power outlet by selecting an external outlet on input on theremote. This may result in the external outlet power being turned on topower an attached device such as a lamp.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 170 may be part of the controller 150,external from the controller 150, a combination of internal and externalmemory from the controller 150, or the like.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 170 may be separate from the controller150. In an embodiment, the bed memory 170 may be removable memory, thebed memory 170 may be moved from a first adjustable bed facility 102 toa second bed facility 102 to move user settings from the firstadjustable bed facility 102 to the second bed facility 102. For example,a user in a care facility may be moved from a first adjustable bedfacility 102 to a second adjustable bed facility 102 but the user mayhave already determined and saved at least one preferred setting to thebed memory 170. The bed memory 170 may be removed from the firstadjustable bed facility 102 and moved to the second adjustable bedfacility 102 with the user and therefore the user may keep the samepreferred adjustable bed 102 settings.

In this manner, the bed memory 170 may be considered portable memory. Inan embodiment, the removable bed memory 170 may be flash memory,programmable logic circuits, secure digital (SD) memory, mini SD memory,Compact Flash type I memory, Compact Flash type II memory, Memory Stick,Multimedia Card, xD Picture card, Smartmedia, eXtreme Digital,Microdrive, or the like.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 170 may be part of the remote control118. As part of the communication between the remote control 118,communications module 144, and controller 150 memory information may beexchanged between the remote control 118 and controller 150. Forexample, the user may indicate that a certain adjustable bed facility102 position should be maintained for future recall. The controller 150may receive the save position request from the remote control 118 andtransmit the position information back to the remote control 118 forstorage within the bed storage 154. In a like manner, when the userrequests the recall of a previously saved position, the controller 150may request the position information from the remote control 118 to thebed memory 170.

In an embodiment, if the remote control 118 is wireless, the remotecontrol 118 may contain both a transmitter and receiver, or atransceiver, to transmit and receive information with the controller150. In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may communicate with thecommunications module 144 using a connection key. The connection key maybe a code that indicates that a certain remote is associated with acertain adjustable bed facility 102. When the remote control 118transmits information to the receiver, the remote may first send a keycode to indicate that the remote control 118 is associated with theadjustable bed facility 102. If the key code matches the key that thecommunications module 144 is listening for, the communications module144 may receive the command from the remote.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 170 may maintain the positioninformation for the user preferred positions of the adjustable bedfacility 102 sections. In an embodiment, the bed memory 170 may beimplemented as programmable logic circuits, a logic circuit (LC), or thelike. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of two methods of maintaining the userpreferred positions in memory. In an embodiment, a first method may beto have discreet memory table 202 for each preferred user bed position204. There may be the same number of preferred bed positions 204 andmemory locations 208 as indicators on the user remote control 118. Forexample, the remote may have two buttons for the user to set thepreferred positions that may be used for later recall; the two buttonsmay be associated with two discreet memory locations 208. In anembodiment, each time the user indicates a new preferred position for abutton on the remote control 118 the memory location 208 may be overwritten with the new position information. In an embodiment, this methodmay only allow the user to set one user preferred position for everybutton on the remote control 118.

In an embodiment, a second method of memory storage for user preferredadjustable bed positions may be a table 222 that may have a plurality ofpossible positions 212 the user may select. In an embodiment, as shown,the possible positions 212 may be P1 through Pn. In an embodiment, thepossible positions 212 may be a plurality of values that may define therange of available positions for the adjustable bed facility 12; theplurality of values may be a set of values that define the range ofavailable positions for one or more adjustable bed facility 102functions. For example, the available positions 212 may be a set ofincrements of section positions that may include a set of actuator 120positions, a set of actuator 120 activation times, bed section rotationangles, or the like. The set of increments may be determined from a basevalue for the section. For example, the increments may start at zerofrom the flat position for the adjustable bed facility 102 sections. Inan embodiment, the user may be able to select the increment set to beused as possible positions 212 for the section. For example, the usermay be able to select the type of graduations by selecting from a set ofpossible graduation methods such as distance, angle of rotation,actuation time, or the like.

In FIG. 2, the table 222 is shown with an increment column 210 and anindication column 220. In an embodiment, the table 222 may have aplurality of columns 220 to store position information for any of theadjustable aspects of the adjustable bed facility 102. For example,there may be an indication column 220 for the head section angle, thefoot angle section, the vibration characteristics for the variousvibration motors of the adjustable bed facility 102, or the like. Inanother embodiment, the adjustable aspects of the adjustable bedfacility 102 may be represented by a plurality of individual tables 210for storing indication information for each of the individual adjustableattributes for the adjustable bed facility 102. The individual tables210 may be substantially the same as the table 222 shown in FIG. 2 wherethere may be one column 210 for increments 212 and another column 220for indication information (214 and 218). For example, there may beindividual tables 210 for the head section angle, foot section angle,vibration motor characteristics, or the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller 150 may be able to access the adjustable bed facility 102settings by accessing large tables 210 that contain many columns, smalltables 210 that contain a few columns, a combination of large and smalltables 210, or the like.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may store the tables 210 within thecontroller 150 memory for accessing the settings of the adjustable bedfacility 102. In another embodiment, the table 222 may be stored inmemory outside of the controller 150 and the controller 150 may accessthe table 222 through an interface connection. The table 222 incrementcolumn 210 may represent a plurality of available positions associatedwith adjustable bed facility functions. In an embodiment, the incrementvalues may be a measurement scale (e.g. inches or angle), may be thenumber of rotations of the actuator, the vibration frequency of thevibration motor, or other increment scale. In response to a user input,the indication column 220 may be marked with the indication 214 torepresent the position intended by the user. When the user makes arequest to save a position, the controller 150 may search the incrementcolumn 210 to determine which of the plurality of increments 212represents the current position value of the adjustable bed facility 102section. Once the current position value increment 212 within the table222 is determined, an indication 214 may be stored to the indicationcolumn 220 associated to the current position value increment 212. In anembodiment, the indication 214 may be any character that may represent aposition being selected such as a letter, a number, special character,or the like. In embodiments, the indication column 220 may include allindications, no indications, one indication, more than one indication,or the like to indicate the user's intended position. The storing of theindication association of the current position value with the userselected position may include adding a store indication to the table 222entry representing the current position value, removing the currentposition value from the table 222 of values, removing a plurality of thetable 222 values where the removal does not include removing the currentposition value, adding a store indication to every table 222 entryexcept a table 222 entry representing the current position value, or thelike.

In an embodiment, when a user indicates on the remote control 118 that aposition is to be saved in the table 222, the controller 150 may selectthe increment value 212 from within the increment column 210 set ofvalues that represents the current position of the adjustable bedfacility 102. The controller 150 may store an indication 214 associatedwith the increment value 212; the stored indication associated with thecurrent position value may be a recall value that may be recalled at alater time to reposition the adjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, in response to the user requesting to return to arecall value, the controller 150 may scan the table 222 indicationcolumn 220 for an indication 214 that may represent the user's recallvalue. Upon locating the recall value indication 214, the controller 150may command the adjustable bed function to the recall value indicated214 location, position, vibration, or the like.

In an embodiment, the indication column 220 of the table 222 mayinitially contain indications 214 in all to the available discretelocations 212. As a user indicates that current position value is theposition to be stored within the table 222, the indication 214 for thecurrent position value may be removed from the table 222. This mayresult in one increment location 212 being empty of an indication. Inthis case, when a user requests to return to the recall position, thecontroller 150 may scan the table 222 indication column 220 for theempty increment location 212. Once the empty increment location isfound, the controller 150 may command the adjustable bed function to therecall position, vibration, or other adjustable bed facility 102function. In an embodiment, if the user stores a different currentposition value, the empty discrete location 212 may be filled with anindication and the new indication associated to the current positionvalue may have the indication 214 removed. In an embodiment, the usermay be able to clear the stored position by indicating a clear commandand all of the increment locations 212 may be filled with indications214.

In an embodiment, the available increment locations 212 in theindication column 220 of the table 222 may initially contain noindications 214 so that the indication column 220 may be empty. As auser indicates that a current position value is the position to bestored within the table 222, the indication 214 associated to thecurrent position value may be added to the table 222. This may result inone increment location 212 having an indication. In this case, when auser requests to return to recall value position, the controller 150 mayscan the table 222 indication column 220 for the increment location 212containing the indication 214 associated with the recall value. Once theincrement location is found, the controller 150 may command theadjustable bed function to the recall value position, position,vibration, or other adjustable bed facility 102 function. In anembodiment, if the user stores a different position, the incrementlocation 212 indication 214 may be removed and the new current positionvalue may have the indication 214 added. In an embodiment, the user maybe able to clear the stored position by indicating a clear command andall of the discrete locations 212 may have the indication 214 removed.

In an embodiment, when a user indicates a current position value is tobe indicated in the table 222, the indication may represent the user'spreferred adjustable bed facility 102 position. In an embodiment, theuser's indicated current position value may be rounded to the closesttable 222 increment location 214. For example, if the user selects acurrent position value that is between two increment positions on thetable 222, an algorithm may be used to determine which of the incrementpositions are to be indicated in the indication column 220.

Embodiments of the present invention involve setting a recall bedposition in response to a user making a storage selection. The user'sstorage selection may send a command to the adjustable bed facility's102 controller (e.g. the PLC) indicating that the user would like thepresent position of the adjustable bed facility 102 stored such that theuser can later have the adjustable bed facility 102 return to the storedposition. The user may use a user interface (e.g. the remote control118) and make such a storage selection once the adjustable bed facility102 is in a desired position. As described herein elsewhere, a pluralityof position values that define a range of available positions for theadjustable bed facility 102 may be stored in memory accessible by theadjustable bed facility's controller 150. The available positions may bestored in a table 222 or other structure for example. Once the userinitiates such a storage request, the controller may receive the requestto save the current adjustable bed facility 102 position as a userselected position. The controller may then make a determination of whichof the plurality of position values represent the current position ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 to provide a current position value. Indetermining which of the plurality of position values represents thecurrent position, the controller may use an algorithm to decide which ofthe plurality of values best represents the current adjustable bedfacility 102 positions. For example, the actual adjustable bed facility102 position may match one of the values and the algorithm may thenselect the matching value as the one that best represents the currentposition. In another situation, the actual adjustable bed facility 102position may not match any of the plurality of values. In this case, analgorithm may be used to determine which value best represents theposition of the adjustable bed facility 102. The algorithm may run anaveraging calculation, interpolation calculation or other form ofprediction algorithm to select between two positions representingpositions on either side of the actual adjustable bed facility 102position, for example. Once the controller has made the determination asto which value represents the current adjustable bed facility 102position, the controller may then store an association of the currentposition value with the user-selected position (e.g. as describedelsewhere herein).

The embodiment of unmarking 218 preferred positions will be used in thefollowing illustrations, but it should be understood that marking acurrent position value may also be used as a method of indicating apreferred position 212.

In an embodiment, the user may indicate the current position value byindicating a set position on the remote control 118; this indication mayresult in all of the possible increment locations 212 having anindication 214 except for the one increment the user has selected whichmay be non-marked 218. For example, if the user selected the P3 position212 as a preferred position, all of the positions 212 may receive a mark214 except the one position P3, which may receive a non-mark 218.

In an embodiment, the positioning recall position logic of theadjustable bed may seek possible positions 212 that do not have a mark218 when determining what user positions to select.

In an embodiment, the user may be able to set more than one incrementposition 212 in the table 222 for a single button on the remote control118. For example, the user may be able to press a button on the remotecontrol 118 in a certain way to set a non-mark 218 at differentpreferred positions 212. In another example, when the user presses abutton on the remote control 118, the current position value may beunmarked 218 as a preferred position and an algorithm may be executed tounmark 218 other preferred positions 212 at certain increments from theuser selected position. In one example of the algorithm, every thirdposition may be selected to be unmarked 218 as a preferred position 212.The additional non-markings 218 may be by actuation time, sectionrotation angle, or the like. A person skilled in the art may understandthat there may be any number of different methods of unmarking more thanone position 212 using a single button on the remote control 118.

In an embodiment, with user preferred positions 212 unmarked 218 on thetable 222, the user may indicate on the remote control 118 to recall theuser preferred position 212. In an embodiment, there may be an algorithmto search the table 222 for an unmarked 218 user preferred position 212to position the bed to the recall value. Once the preferred position 212is determined, the command logic may command the actuator or actuatorsto move the adjustable bed sections into the preferred position 212recall value. In an embodiment, there may be more than one preferredposition 212 unmarked 218 on the table 222. In this case, the algorithmmay seek the first unmarked 218 position 212 and move the adjustable bedsection to that position. In an embodiment, if this is not the userdesired position, the user may indicate again on the remote to recall apreferred position and the algorithm may seek the next unmarked 218position 212. A person skilled in the art may understand that there maybe a number of different methods of recalling a plurality of marked 214or unmarked 218 positions 212 from the table 222.

Referring again to FIG. 1B, in an embodiment, the removable bed memory170 may be used to upgrade the adjustable bed facility 102 memory andsoftware. For example, if new controller 150 software was developed toprovide better control over one of the adjustable bed facility 102components, the software may be saved to a new replaceable memory thatmay replace the existing replaceable memory. In this manner, thesoftware of the adjustable bed facility 102 could be upgraded just byproviding the user with a new replaceable memory.

In an embodiment, the removable memory may be used to provide a salesenterprise with the adjustable bed facility 102 demonstration softwarewhere the enterprise may be able to indicate at least one of a pluralityof demonstrations for a user. For example, the user may be interested inhow the adjustable bed facility 102 sections may be adjusted and theenterprise may select a demonstration to shows all the section motionavailable. In an embodiment, before an adjustable bed facility 102 isshipped to a user, the enterprise may remove the demonstration removablememory and replace it with a standard adjustable bed facility 102 bedmemory 170.

In an embodiment, the memory connection 174 may be any connection typethat provides a connection between the bed memory 170, controller 150,and the like. In an embodiment, the memory connection 174 may be a wiredor wireless connection. The wired connection may be a USB connection, aserial connection, parallel connection, or the like. The wirelessconnection may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH,WIFI network, or the like. In an embodiment, the memory connection 174may be in a location that is easy for the user to access the bed memory170, may be attached to the memory facility 164, may be attached to thecontroller 150, or the like. In an embodiment, the easy access memoryconnection may be on the side of the adjustable bed facility 102, on arail of the adjustable bed facility 102, under the adjustable bedfacility 102, or the like.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may also access a network using anetwork connection 178. In an embodiment, the network may be a LAN, WAN,Internet, intranet, peer-to-peer, or other network with computer devicesthat the controller 150 may communicate with. In an embodiment, thenetwork connection 178 may be a wired or wireless connection.

In an embodiment, using the network connection 178, the controller 150may be able to communicate with the network to periodically check forapplication software updates. In an embodiment, if an applicationsoftware update is located, the controller 150 may send the user anemail, instant messenger message, phone message, phone call, cell phonemessage, cell phone call, fax, pager message, or the like to indicatethat software updates are available. The user, using the device thatreceived the notice of software update, may send a reply to the controlbox that the software upgrade should be downloaded, should not bedownloaded, or the like.

In an embodiment, an adjustable bed facility 102 enterprises, anadjustable bed facility 102 manufacturers, an adjustable bed facility102 service enterprises, or the like may send the controller 150software updates using the network connection 178. In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility 102 enterprise, an adjustable bed facility 102manufacturer, an adjustable bed facility 102 service enterprise, or thelike may notify the user of available software upgrades for theadjustable bed facility 102 by email, instant messenger message, phonemessage, phone call, cell phone message, cell phone call, fax, pagermessage, or the like. The user, using the device that received thenotice of software upgrade, may send a reply to the adjustable bedfacility 102 enterprise, the adjustable bed facility 102 manufacturer,the adjustable bed facility 102 service enterprise, or the like that thesoftware upgrade should be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or thelike.

In an embodiment, an adjustable bed facility 102 enterprise, anadjustable bed facility 102 manufacturer, an adjustable bed facility 102service enterprise, or the like may notify the user of one or moreidentified problems or errors in the adjustable bed facility 102 byemail, instant messenger message, phone message, phone call, cell phonemessage, cell phone call, fax, pager message, or the like. The user,using the device that received the notice of the identified problems orerrors, may trouble shoot the problem, may not trouble shoot the problemor the like.

In an embodiment, the user may access the network connection 162 withthe user's own computer device.

In an embodiment, the remote control 118 and controller 150 may be ableto control other devices that may be connected to modular controls 148.In an embodiment, the modular controls 148 may be similar to the controlbox by interpreting commands to control a device, but may be unique tothe device that is connected to it. In an embodiment, the modularcontrols 148 may control audio equipment, video equipment, lamps, airpurification facilities, outlets, and the like. For example, the modularcontrol 148 may be connected to audio equipment and may contain thecommand sequences to control the audio equipment based on commands thatmay be received from the remote control 118. It may be obvious tosomeone in the art that any of the devices that are connected to modularcontrols 148 may be controlled in the same manner.

In an embodiment, the user may indicate a function to be accessed for acertain device connected to a modular control 148, the controller 150may receive the request from the remote control 118 and pass the commandonto the appropriate modular control 148. In an embodiment, the remotecontrol 118 may have modular control 148 device functions that the usermay select to control a modular control 148 device. For example, theremote control 118 may have functions such as play, fast-forward,rewind, skip, pause, and the like for an audio device connected to themodular control 148.

In an embodiment, the modular controls 148 may be connected to thecontroller 150 and power supply 152 using a wire harness 142. The wireharness 142 may contain power and data connections for all of thepossible connection locations for the modular controls 148. For example,if there are six locations on the adjustable bed facility 102 forattaching modular controls 148, the wire harness 142 may have six setsof power and data connections available.

In another embodiment, the wire harness may provide only power to themodular controls 148 and the communication between the modular controls148 and controller 150 may be wireless that may include radio frequency(RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, and the like.

In an embodiment, using the remote control 118, the controller 150 maybe able to control power outlets 142 to which external devices may beconnected; the power outlets 142 may be associated with the adjustablebed facility 102, remote from the adjustable bed facility 102, or thelike. In an embodiment, the controller 150 may communicate with thepower outlet 142 using wired or wireless communications. In thisembodiment, the power outlets 154 may receive power directly from ahousehold outlet, fuse box, circuit box, or the like but the function ofthe power outlets 154 (e.g. on or off) may be controlled by thecontroller 150. For example, an external lamp may be connected to thepower outlets 154, there may be a selectable control on the remotecontrol 118 for the user to turn the power outlet 154 on and off andtherefore to turn the lamp on and off. In an embodiment, the poweroutlets 154 may include a control circuit that is able to control if thepower outlet 154 receives power from the household current. In anembodiment, there may be more than one power outlet 154 controlled bythe controller 150 and there may be a selection for each of the poweroutlets 154 on the remote control 118.

In an embodiment, the power outlets 154 may be directly controlled bythe remote control 118 using radio frequency (RF). The remote controland power outlets 154 may be RF capable for communication within theadjustable bed facility 102. The remote control 118 may be able todirectly control the power outlets 152 to turn the power outlets 154 onand off using RF without interfacing with the controller 150.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may be able to control an externalair purification 160 facility; the air purification 160 facility may bedirectly controlled by the control box using a wired or wirelessconnection. In an embodiment, the wireless connection may be radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. In an embodiment,the air purification facility 160 may be any type of device or facilitythat may be capable of improving that air environment in the area of theadjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, the air purificationfacility 160 may be an absorbent type (e.g. carbon), electro-static,HEPA filter, or the like. In an embodiment, absorbent materials may beused in a filter, in the adjustable bed facility 102, in the mattress124, or the like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like fromthe air environment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In anembodiment, electro-static or iconic air filters may use negative ionsto attract dust, contaminants, and the like from the air. In anembodiment, electro-static materials (e.g. tourmaline) may be used in afilter, in the adjustable bed facility 102, in the mattress 124, or thelike to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like from the airenvironment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In anembodiment, HEPA filters are composed of a mat of randomly arrangedfibers that are designed to trap at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold,bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers (μm)at 85 liters per minute (Lpm). The HEPA filter may be used in a device,facility, or the like for filtering the air in the area of theadjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 160 may be part of theadjustable bed facility 102, a freestanding device or facility, or thelike. In an embodiment, if the air purification facility 160 is part ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 the air purification facility 160 may beattached to any part of the adjustable bed facility 102 such as themattress 124, sub-frame 128, skeleton structure 130, or the like. In anembodiment, the air purification facility 160 that is attached to theadjustable bed facility 102 may be controlled direct control of the airpurification facility 160 device, control using the remote control 118,or the like.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 160 may be a freestanding device that may be plugged into a adjustable bed facility 102power outlet 154 and therefore may be controlled with the remote control118 controlling the on/off condition of the power outlet 154.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 160 may be afreestanding device that may be connected to an adjustable bed facility102 modular control 148. The modular control may provide power (AC orDC), control communication, and the like to the air purificationfacility 160. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the airpurification facility 160 using the remote control 118 to control themodular controls 148.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may be able to control an externalzone climate control system 162; the zone climate control system 162 maybe directly controlled by the control box using a wired or wirelessconnection. In an embodiment, the wireless connection may be radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. In an embodiment,the zone climate control system 162 may be any type of device orfacility that may be capable of controlling the environment within oneor more zones of the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, thezone may be a single room or may be two different sides of theadjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, two different users maysleep in different environments or two users may sleep in a singleenvironment controlled by the zone climate control system 162. In anembodiment, the user may request the provision of different environmentsin the different sides of the adjustable bed facility 102. Accordingly,the zone climate control system 162 may decide on which side the zonevents are to be closed and which side they are to be kept open.Additionally, the zone climate control system 162 may heat or cool thezones of the bed, circulate air to heat or cool a zone by mixing airwith air from another zone, circulate air to reduce excessiveconditioning of a zone, or circulate air to maintain air quality. In anembodiment, the zone climate control system 162 may determine anddevelop parameters such as airflow, thermal capacity, heating or coolingrequirements, and the like by measurement and/or derivation.

In an embodiment, the zone climate control system 162 may be a freestanding device that may be plugged into an adjustable bed facility 102power outlet 140 and therefore may be controlled with the remote control118 controlling the on/off condition of the power outlet 140.

In an embodiment, the zone climate control system 162 may be afreestanding device that may be connected to an adjustable bed facility102 modular control 148. The modular control 148 may provide power (ACor DC), control communication, and the like to the zone climate controlsystem 162. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the zoneclimate control system 162 using the remote control 118 to control themodular controls 148.

In an embodiment, an adjustable bed facility 102 may be any bed that iscapable of adjusting at least one aspect of the bed such as a headsection, a foot section, a leg section, a torso section, or the like. Inan embodiment, the adjustment may include moving the sections up, down,higher, lower, longer, shorter, and the like. In an embodiment, thesection adjustments may also include vibration, massage, and the like.In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may include componentssuch as actuators 120, springs 122, a mattress 124, a sub-frame 128, askeleton structure 130, vibration motors 132, supports 134, safetybrackets 138, wire harness 142, communications module 144, modularcontrols 148, controller 150, power outlets 154, power supply 152, powerconnection 158, air purification facility 160, zone climate controlsystem 162, remote control 118, receiver learn facility 168, bed memory170, backup battery 172, memory connection 174, network connection 178,and the like.

Applications

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 sections may beadjustable by a user, a care giver, a medical person, or the like toprovide a comfortable position, a medically required position, a workingposition, a resting position, or the like. For example, a medicalposition may be required to elevate a user's legs to aid in thereduction of swelling and therefore the leg or foot sections may beelevated. In another example, a user with a back condition may need torest his or her back and may still wish to work; the user may be able toposition the adjustable bed facility 102 to provide a comfortable backposition that may allow the user to work on papers or a computer device.The user may be able to tilt the adjustable bed facility 102 in theshape of a chair in order to rest his or her back and may sit on thehorizontal section of the adjustable bed facility 102. Such anarrangement may be used for watching TV, eating, reading or the like,thereby providing the user a comfortable position.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may be used in a home,a hospital, a long-term care facility, a hotel, or the like. Theadjustable bed facility 102 may be used by users that may have limitedmobility, are restricted to bed rest, require a non-flat sleepingposition, and the like.

In an embodiment, actuators 120 may be used to move the adjustable bedfacility 102 sections. The actuator 120 may typically be a cylinderdevice where a first component, under a force, is extendable from secondcomponent that may result in the action of moving an object. In anembodiment, there may be more than one actuator 120 per adjustable bedfacility 102. There may be an actuator 120 to move any of the adjustablebed facility 102 sections or other aspects of the adjustable bedfacility 102. For example, there may be individual actuators for thehead section, leg section, foot section, torso section, or the like. Inan embodiment, a single actuator may be used to move more than oneadjustable bed facility 102 section. For example, one actuator may beused to move the leg and foot sections; the leg and foot sections may beconnected by a mechanical structure that may control the orientation ofthe leg and foot sections during movement. In an embodiment, theactuators 120 may be connected between the adjustable bed facility 102section to be moved and the sub-frame 128, skeleton structure 114, orthe like.

In an embodiment, the actuator 120 may have different driving means toextend and retract the actuator 120 such as an electric motor, pneumaticpressure, hydraulic pressure, or the like.

In an embodiment, the electric motor driven actuator 120 may use a DC orAC motor and gear assembly to extend and retract the actuator 120.

In an embodiment, the pneumatic pressure actuator 120 may use an airsource to extend and retract the actuator 120. The air source may bepart of the pneumatic actuator 120, may be a separate device, or thelike. In an embodiment, the separate air source device may be part ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 or may be external to the adjustable bedfacility 102.

In an embodiment, the hydraulic pressure actuator 120 may use a fluidsource to extend and retract the actuator 120. The fluid source may bepart of the hydraulic actuator 120, may be a separate device, or thelike. In an embodiment, the separate fluid source device may be part ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 or may be external to the adjustable bedfacility 102.

In an embodiment, springs 122 may be used with a mattress 124, insteadof a mattress 124, or the like. In an embodiment, the springs may be astandard bed spring system (e.g. coils within a wire framework),individual coil springs, individual foam springs, air springs, or thelike. In an embodiment, the individual springs (e.g. coil, foam, or air)may be used to provide variable firmness to provide comfort to the user.For example, the springs 122 may be less firm or firmer in a local areato provide the user with the support that may be required for a bodylocation that is experiencing discomfort (e.g. a hip, shoulder, back,neck).

In an embodiment, the mattress 124 may include foam, feathers, springs122, material, or the like. In an embodiment, the different materialsmay be used individually or in combination. The mattress may be intendedto provide the user with a firmness that provides for the comfortrequirements of the user.

In an embodiment, the mattress 124 may be an air mattress. In anembodiment, the air mattress may be constructed using a single chamber,a plurality of chambers, a plurality of individual chambers, acombination of chamber shapes, or the like. In an embodiment, the airmattress 124 may be inflated to various pressures that may provide theuser with the desired comfort level. In an embodiment, there may beseparate air mattresses 124 for each of the adjustable bed facility 102sections. For example, there may be separate air mattresses 124 for thehead, torso, and foot sections of the adjustable bed facility 102. In anembodiment, the inflation pressure of the individual air mattresses 124may be different from each other depending on user settings.

In another embodiment of an air mattress 124 with individual chambers,local firmness control may provide local firmness comfort to a user toprovide comfort. For example, a user may be recovering from surgery andmay require the air mattress 124 to be fewer firms in a certain area,the user may be able to indicate the area to be less firm and theindividual chamber pressures may be adjusted to provide the less firmarea. Additionally, while a local area may be provided with less firmpressures, the remainder of the mattress 124 may have a consistentfirmness pressure.

In an embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may be a structural support frame incontact with the floor and may include the floor legs, connections forthe actuators 120, connections for the supports 134, support for theskeleton structure 130, and the like. In an embodiment, the sub-frame128 materials may include wood, metal, plastic, and the like. In anembodiment, the sub-frame 128 may provide a support interface to theskeleton structure 130 and may support the freedom of motion for theskeleton structure 114. For example, the sub-frame 128 may include aninterface such as a track, surface, groove, slot, or the like in whichthe skeleton structure 130 may interface and use as a guide whileproviding motion support for the various adjustable bed facility 102sections. In an embodiment, the sub-frame 128 interface may be a “C”channel in which the skeleton structure 130 may have interfacing wheelsto move within the “C” channel during the adjustable bed facility 102section movements.

In an embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may be substantially the same shapeas the adjustable bed facility 102 and may have structural members alongthe length and width of the sub-frame 128. In an embodiment, thestructural members may be assembled in any configuration that meets therequirements of supporting the adjustable bed facility 102 and thevarious devices such as the actuators 120, supports 134, skeletonstructure 128, and the like.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may be a mechanicalstructure that may provide support to the springs 122, provide supportto the mattress 124, interface with the sub-frame 128, provide aconnection to the actuators 120, provide a connection to the supports134, support the vibration motors 132, and the like. In an embodiment,there may be more than one skeleton structure 130 within the adjustablebed facility 102; there may be a skeleton structure 130 for eachadjustable bed facility 102 section. For example, there may be askeleton structure 130 for the head section, foot section, leg section,torso section, and the like.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may be a frame typestructure to support at least one mattress 124, provide connectivitybetween more than one mattress 124, contain a hinge mechanism to allowthe motion of a first mattress 124 in relation to a second mattress 124,and the like. The frame structure may be substantially the same shape asthe mattress 124 that the skeleton structure 130 is supporting and mayhave individual structure members at the peripheral edges of themattress 124 in addition to other individual structural members that maybe required for support of mechanical connections, support of themattress 124, or the like. In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130may include materials such as metal, wood, plastic, and the like. Theskeleton structure 130 materials may be used individually or incombination.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may have an interfacefacility such as wheels, slides, skids, rails, pivot points, and thelike that may interface with the sub-frame 128 support interface. Theskeleton structure 130 interface facility may provide for smoothinteraction with the sub-frame 128 support interface when the skeletonstructure 130 is in motion as a result of actuation from the actuators120.

In an embodiment, a vibration facility 132 may provide vibration inputto the adjustable bed facility 102 sections such as the head section,foot section, leg section, torso section, and the like; there may bevibration facilities in any or all of the adjustable bed facility 102sections. In an embodiment, the vibration facilities 132 may be operatedindependently, at the same time, at alternate times, in coordination, orthe like. For example, the vibration facilities 132 in the head sectionand foot section may be operated at the same time to provide a full bodymassage or the vibration frequencies may operate at alternating times toprovide a wave effect of the vibration moving from the head to foot ofthe adjustable bed facility 102. In another example, the differentvibration facilities 132 may be used in concert where the vibrationfacilities 132 may be vibrated in sequences to create a massagingeffect. It may be understood by one knowledgeable in the art thatdifferent effects may be created with more than one vibration facility132.

In an embodiment, using the remote control 118, the user may be able tocontrol the vibration mode of the various vibration motors 132; the modemay include the vibration setting for a particular bed section, thevibration frequency of at least one of the vibration motors 132,stopping the vibration of at least one of the vibration motors, or thelike. The remote control 118 may provide vibration motor 132 controlinformation to the adjustable bed facility 102 controller 150 forcontrol of the vibration characteristics of the adjustable bed facility102. In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may include user inputsthat include at least one of head vibration increase, head vibrationdecrease, foot vibration increase, foot vibration decrease, userpreferred vibration settings, vibration stop, or the like.

In an embodiment, the vibration motor 132 may be capable of a pluralityof vibration frequencies. For example, the vibration motor 132 may beable to operate on frequencies such as high, medium, low, settings 1-10,or the like. In an embodiment, a first vibration frequency may bestopped before a second vibration frequency is started. In embodiments,the stopping between the first vibration and the second vibration may beautomatic and controlled by the logic within the controller 150, may bemanually indicated by the user using the remote control 118, or thelike. As an example of manual input, the vibration motor 132 may beoperating on a medium frequency and the user may provide a stopvibration input on the remote control 118 to stop the first vibrationmotor 132 vibration before pressing the low vibration frequency input.

Referring to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, an embodiment of a vibration motor 132is shown within an opening of an adjustable bed facility 102 supportlateral surface 508. The adjustable bed facility 102 section may have alateral surface 508 and the lateral surface 508 may include an openingin which the vibration motor 132 may be located; the vibration motor 132may fit within the opening such that the vibration motor 132 may notcontact the lateral surface 508. In an embodiment, the vibration motor132 may be secured to the adjustable bed facility 102 section using atleast one bracket 504. In an embodiment, when more than one bracket 504is used, at least one of the brackets 504 may be separable andremovable. In an embodiment, the at least one bracket 504 may be shapedto secure the vibration motor 132 within the section opening such as astraight bracket, a U shaped bracket, an L shaped bracket, or the like;in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B the bracket 504 is shown as a straight bracket504. In an embodiment, the removal of one of the brackets 504 mayfacilitate securing the vibration motor 132 to the bed section,facilitating the servicing of the vibration motor 132, or the like. Thebracket 504 may be positioned such that at least one portion of thebracket 504 is within the opening of the lateral surface 508 and mayalso be positioned such that the bracket 504 may overlap the vibrationmotor 132 flange. The vibration motor 132 flange may extend beyond theperimeter of the opening of the mattress support and the resilientmaterial 502 may provide positional support for the vibration motor 132so that the flange imparts vibration to the mattress 124 withoutcontacting the mattress support. The at least one bracket 504 may becoupled to the mattress support 508 using a removable coupling. Removingthe at least one bracket may facilitate removing and servicing themotor. The resilient material 502 may provide mechanical insulationbetween the flange and the perimeter of the opening in the mattresssupport 508. The resilient material 502 disposed between the flange andthe lateral support 508 surface of the at least one bracket 504 mayfurther provide positional support for the vibration motor 132 housing.The bracket 504 may be constructed using material such as plastic,metal, or the like and may be constructed using the materialsindividually or in combination. In an embodiment, there may be aresilient material 502 associated with the brackets 504, the resilientmaterial may provide for dampening the vibration between the vibrationmotor 132 and the adjustable bed facility 102, may contact the vibrationmotor 132 to secure the vibration motor 132 to the bed section, mayprovide for dampening of vibration to the adjustable bed facility 102and hold the vibration motor 132 in place, or the like. The resilientmaterial 502 may include latex foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylenefoam, polyethylene foam, or the like and may be used individually or incombination.

In an embodiment, the vibration facility 132 may be connected to theskeleton structure 114, the mattress 124, the lateral surface 508, orthe like where the vibration may be imparted into the adjustable bedfacility 102 mattress 124 as desired by the user. In an embodiment, thevibration motor 132 flange may provide surface area that may impart avibration into the mattress 124. In an embodiment, the vibration motor132 may be secured to the adjustable bed facility 102 section using twoseparable brackets; at least one of the two separable brackets may beremovable. In an embodiment, the removal of one of the brackets mayfacilitate securing the vibration motor 132 to the bed section,facilitating the servicing of the vibration motor 132, or the like. Thebracket may be constructed using a material such as plastic, metal, orthe like and may be constructed using the materials individually or incombination. In an embodiment, there may be a resilient materialattached to the brackets, the resilient material may provide for adampening the vibration between the vibration motor 132 and theadjustable bed facility 102, may contact the vibration motor 132 tosecure the vibration motor 132 to the bed section, or the like. Forexample, the brackets may be attached to the adjustable bed facility 102section with the resilient material making contact with the vibrationmotor 132 that may be in an opening of the section. The resilientmaterial may provide the force required to hold the vibration motor inplace within the section opening and may provide dampening of thevibration to the adjustable bed facility. The resilient material mayinclude latex foam, polyurethane foam, polypropylene foam, polyethylenefoam, or the like and may be used individually or in combination.

In an embodiment, the electric motor vibration facility 132 may use DCor AC current to power the motor. In an embodiment, to provide thevibration, the motor may rotate an offset mass on the motor shaft thatmay cause the vibration facility 132, mattress 124, skeleton structure130, or the like to vibrate. The user may feel the vibration through themattress 124, springs 122, or the like.

In an embodiment, an air bladder or air spring may be used to provide avibration to the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, the airbladder or air spring air pressure may be varied at a frequency tocreate a vibration within the vibration facility 132, mattress 124,skeleton structure 130, or the like. In an embodiment, there may be anair supply unit that supplies the frequency varied air pressure to theair bladder or air spring.

In an embodiment, the vibration motor 132 may be in proximity to avibration distribution facility that may aid in the propagation ofvibration energy to the adjustable bed facility 102 section. In anembodiment, the vibration motor 132 may be operatively connected to thevibration distribution facility, may be in contact with the vibrationdistribution facility, may not be in contact with the vibrationdistribution facility, or the like. In an embodiment, the vibrationdistribution facility may provide for a more uniform distribution of thevibration characteristics of the vibration motor 132 and may have a sizeand shape relative to the size and shape of the adjustable bed facility102 section. The vibration distribution facility may be constructedusing materials such as plastic, rubber, metal, or the like and may beconstructed using these materials individually or in combination. In anembodiment, the user may be able to control the speed, amplitude, pulse,and the like of the vibration facility 132 using an interface such asthe remote control 118.

In an embodiment, the vibrator facility 132 may be mounted to themattress 124 using the vibration distribution facility, resilientmaterial 502, strong fabric, or the like. In an embodiment, eachadjustable bed facility 102 section that includes a vibrator facility118 may have an opening in the section to accept the vibrator facility118. In an embodiment, over the opening in the section, a layer ofresilient material 502, strong fabric, or the like may be placed. Thelayer of resilient material 502, strong fabric, or the like may beplaced between the vibrator facility 132 and the mattress 124. In anembodiment, the vibrator facility 132 may impart vibrations to amattress 124 through the resilient material 502 disposed over an openingin an adjustable bed facility 102 section. In an embodiment, a fabriccover may be disposed over the resilient material 502 and/or anadjustable bed facility 102 section, between the vibrator facility 132and the mattress 124. In embodiments, a plurality of fabric covers maybe disposed over the resilient material 502 and/or an adjustable bedfacility 102 section to provide stabilization. In an embodiment, thevibrator facility 132 may impart vibrations to a mattress 124 through aresilient material 502 and a fabric or plurality of fabrics covering theresilient material 502 and/or adjustable bed facility 102 section.

In an embodiment, the resilient material 502 may be foam, cottonmatting, or the like. In an embodiment, the vibration distributionfacility may be plastic, wood, rubber, metal, or the like and may be anysize and/or shape that supports the required vibration characteristics.The vibration distribution facility may have a plurality of barbs orother anchoring devices that may be pushed into the resilient material,strong fabric, or the like to secure the vibration distribution facilityin place on top of the resilient material, strong fabric, or the like.In an embodiment, the barbs or other anchoring devices may have a numberof gripping edges, points, or the like to provide a connection with theresilient material and strong fabric.

In an embodiment, the vibrator facility 132 may be mounted to thevibration distribution facility through the opening of the adjustablebed facility 102 section lateral surface 508. In an embodiment, thevibration motor 132 may be operatively connected to the vibrationdistribution facility, may be in contact with the vibration distributionfacility, may not be in contact with the vibration distributionfacility, or the like. In an embodiment, there may be a layer ofresilient material, strong fabric, or the like between the vibratormotor 118 and the vibration distribution facility.

In an embodiment, any space between the vibration facility 132 and theopening of the adjustable bed facility 102 section may be filled with avibration absorbent material such as foam, cotton matting, rubber, orthe like. The absorbent material may provide a layer of vibrationinsulation between the vibration facility 132 and the adjustable bedfacility 102 section opening.

In an embodiment, the combination of the vibration distribution facilityand vibration facility 132 may be a vibration facility assembly. In anembodiment, the vibration facility 132 assembly may be attached to theadjustable bed facility 118 sections with the plurality of barbs oranchoring devices.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in an embodiment, the supports 134 may behydraulic pressurized cylinders that may provide additional control ofthe decent of the adjustable bed facility 102 sections. The pressurizedsupports 134 may be designed to support a certain amount of weight thatmay include the skeleton structure 130, mattress 124, springs 122, user,and the like. In an embodiment, the pressurized cylinders may be similarto the type of supports that are used in automobile trunks to supportthe trunk open while the user access the trunk area.

In an embodiment, the supports 134 may provide a safety feature whencombined with the safety bracket 138. The safety bracket 138 may preventthe actuators from forcibly pulling the adjustable bed facility 102sections down; the safety bracket is described in more detail below. Thesupports 134 may be positioned on the sections that are actuated and mayprovide a controlled speed at which the sections will return to ahorizontal position. In an embodiment, the support 134 may providesupport of a weight that is less than the weight of the section,therefore the section will provide enough force (e.g. weight) on thesupport 134 to compress the cylinder and move the section down. In anembodiment, there may be more than one support 134 for each actuatedadjustable bed facility 102 section. In an embodiment, the support 134may be connected between the skeleton structure 130 and the sub-frame128.

In an embodiment, the safety bracket 138 may be a slotted bracket thatprovides the connection between the actuators 120 and the skeletonstructure 130 for the purpose of moving the adjustable bed facility 102sections. A side of the slot that is farthest from the actuator 120 maybe the slot first side and may be the side that the actuator 120 pusheson to move the adjustable bed 102 section up. A side of the slot that isnearest to the actuator 120 may be the slot second side and may be theside the actuator 120 pulls on to move the adjustable bed 102 sectiondown. In an embodiment, when the actuator 120 is expanding and moving anadjustable bed facility 102 section it may apply a force on the firstside of the slot and move the section in an upward direction. When theactuator 120 is retracted to move the section in a downward direction,the actuator 120 connection may move into the middle area (e.g. not incontact with the first or second side of the slot) of the safety bracket138 slot. As the actuator 120 connection moves into the slot middlearea, the adjustable bed facility 102 section may move in a downwardmotion under the force of section weight. In an embodiment, the actuator120 may retract at the same speed as the safety bracket 138 moves;therefore the actuator 120 connection may stay in the safety bracket 138slot middle areas and not make contact with the second side of thesafety bracket 138 slot. In this manner, the actuator 120 connection maynot contact the second side of the slot and therefore the adjustable bed102 section may not move in the downward direction by the force of theactuator 120.

In an embodiment, if the actuator 120 connection comes in contact withthe second side of the safety bracket 138 slot, there may be a shutoffswitch, shutoff indicator, or the like that may stop the retraction ofthe actuator 104.

In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may include anelectronic facility 140. In an embodiment, the electronic facility 140may include a wire harness 142, a communications module 144, poweroutlets 154, modular controls 148, a power supply 152, a powerconnection 158, and the like. In an embodiment, different components ofthe electronic facility 140 may be individual components, combinedcomponents, individual and combined components, or the like. Forexample, the communications module 144, controller 150, and powersupplied may be individual components, may be combined into a singlecomponent, may be a combination of individual and combined components,or the like. In an embodiment, the various electronic facility 140components may be mounted on the sub-frame 128, skeleton structure 114,or the like as required for the particular component.

In an embodiment, the wire harness 142 may provide power and dataconnections to a plurality of modular controls 148. Depending on thepower supply 152, the wire harness 142 may provide either DC or AC powerto the modular controls 148. In an embodiment, the data connections maybe serial, parallel, or the like. In an embodiment, the wire harness mayhave the same number of power/data connections as there are possiblemodular controls 148. In an embodiment, the wire harness may be a unitof power/data connections that may be bound together into a single wireharness. In another embodiment, the wire harness may be a group ofindividual power/data connections. In an embodiment, for each individualwire in the bundle, group, or the like, a first end may have connectionsfor the controller 150 and power supply 152. A second end of the wireharness 142 may be a power and data connection for each individualmodular control 148.

In an embodiment, a communications module 144 may receive user commandsfrom a remote control 118. In an embodiment, the communications module144 may have a wireless or wired connection to the remote control 118.In an embodiment, the wireless remote control 118 to communicationsmodule 144 communications may be a radio frequency (RF) communication,infrared (IR) communication, BLUETOOTH communication, or the like. In anembodiment, the communications module 144 may receive the communicationcommand from the remote control 118 and transmit the remote control 118command to the controller 150. The communication with the controller 150may be wireless or wired. In an embodiment, the wireless communicationbetween the communications module 144 and the controller 150 may be aradio frequency (RF) communication, infrared (IR) communication,BLUETOOTH communication, or the like. In an embodiment, thecommunications module 144 may be combined with the controller 150 into asingle component. In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may beused as an RF antenna for receiving communication from the remotecontrol 118 to the communications module 144. In embodiment, the entireskeleton structure 130 may be used as an antenna; a portion of theskeleton structure 130 may be used as an antenna, or the like.

In an embodiment, the modular controls 148 may provide additionalfunctionality to the adjustable bed facility 102 that may include aheadboard, a footboard, a table, a cabinet, a book shelf, arefrigerator, a freezer, a space for personal waste accommodation thatmay include a stereo, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp,a digital recorder, one or more speakers with a surround sound system, aprinter machine, a fax machine, a display system, power outlets 154, anair purification facility 160, a zoned climate control system 150 or thelike. The additional functionality that the modular controls 148 providemay be considered optional equipment that may be offered with theadjustable bed facility 102. For example, a user may be able to purchasean adjustable bed facility 102 without any modular controls 148 and mayadd modular controls as he or she desires. In another example, the usermay purchase the adjustable bed facility 102 with modular controlsalready installed.

In an embodiment, the modular controls 148 may have predeterminedmounting locations on the sub-frame 128, skeleton structure 130, or thelike. Such locations may have a widespread pivot to couple the modularcontrols with the adjustable bed facility 102. For example, therefrigerator can be removed and replaced by another refrigerator withoutany modification in the pivot connecting the refrigerator and theadjustable bed facility 102. In a similar manner, additional devices andfacilities may be coupled to the adjustable bed facility 102 using thewidespread pivot. In an embodiment, these devices and facilities coupledvia the pivot may be removed for various functions. For example, a usermay remove a device for repairing, for upgrading the devices with newand additional functionalities and the like. Also, the user may removethe device to perform some other function. For example, a foot sectionmay be removed to create a chair in the adjustable bed facility 102.Therefore, the modular controls 148 may be compact, ready to use,provide a plurality of additional functionalities and may be mounted inaccordance with the user's requirements.

In an embodiment, these devices and facilities may receive power frompower outlets 154 controlled by the modular control 148. The modularcontrol 148 may directly or indirectly control the facilities that areconnected to the modular control 148. Further, the user may control thepower outlet 140 to turn the device on or off but the user may not beable to control the individual device (e.g. raising or lowering of thefoot board). In an embodiment, the user may control the additionalfunctional devices by using the remote control 118 that may have aninterface for each of the modular controls 148. For example, there maybe an interface on the remote control 118 for raising the footboard,lowering the footboard, placing the foot board inside its cabinet or thelike. Also, the user may open/close the book shelf, turn on/off therefrigerator by the interface of the remote control 118. In a similarmanner, the user may be able to control if a power outlet 140 providedby a modular control 148 is on or off.

In an embodiment, the modular controls 148 may directly control devices,indirectly control devices, or the like such as a stereo, CD player, DVDplayer, a digital recorder, one or more speakers with a surround soundsystem, air purification facilities, a printer machine, a fax machine orthe like. These devices and facilities may receive power from poweroutlets 154 that are controlled by the modular control 148. In anexample, the modular control 148 may directly control a lamp that isconnected to the modular control 148 but may indirectly control a deviceor facility that is plugged into a power outlet 154 controlled by themodular control 148. Further, the user may control the power outlet 154to turn the device on or off but the user may not be able to control theindividual device (e.g. the volume or functions of a stereo system). Inan embodiment, the user may control the additional functional devices byusing the remote control 118 that may have an interface for each of themodular controls 148. For example, there may be an interface on theremote control 118 for selecting the function of the stereo system,increasing or decreasing the volume of the system, as well as turning ona lamp, turning off a lamp, dimming a lamp, and the like. In a similarmanner, the user may be able to control if a power outlet 154 providedby a modular control 148 is on or off.

In an embodiment, the user may install one or more display systems. Thedisplay system may be an LCD mounted on a swivel arm, a projectorsystem, a footboard integrated flat screen, and the like. The user maycontrol the display systems by using the remote control 118 that mayhave an interface for the display systems. For example, turning thedisplay system on/off, adjusting the resolution of the screen, finetuning the contrast and brightness of the display, and the like. In anexemplary scenario, the swivel arm may be mounted on the sub-frame 128,skeleton structure 130, or the like. In another exemplary scenario, thefootboard integrated flat screen may be placed inside or outside acompartment. Further, the integrated flat screen may be raised orlowered, into the stored compartment or may be fixed in a singleposition. The user may be able to turn the power outlet 154 on/off usingthe remote control 118.

In an embodiment, the user may control additional functional devices byusing communication ports. The communication ports may enable the use ofadditional devices such as a printer machine, a fax machine, and thelike. The additional device connection may be a serial connection, a USBconnection, a USB device, a parallel connection, a wireless connection,or the like. The user may control the printer machine by using theremote control 118 that may have an interface for the printer machine.For example, there may be an interface on the remote control 118 forturning on a printer machine, turning off the printer machine, executingone or more print commands, canceling the print commands, and the like.In a similar manner, the user may also control the fax machine by usingthe remote control 118 that may have an interface for the fax machine.The user may furnish one or more fax commands, receive incoming faxcommands, turn the fax machine on/off with the use of the fax machineinterface on the remote control 118. In an exemplary scenario, the usermay be able to turn the power outlet 154 provided by the modular control148 on/off using the remote control 118.

In an embodiment, the modular controls 148 may be connected to thecontroller 150, power supply 152, or the like; the connection may be thewire harness 142. In an embodiment, the modular controls 148 maycommunicate with the controller 150 by a wireless means that may includeradio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or other wirelesscommunication type.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may interpret commands receivedfrom the communications module 144 into commands for the variousadjustable bed facility 102 components such as the actuators 120, thevibration facility 132, the modular controls 148, power outlets 154, andthe like. In an embodiment, the controller 150 may contain amicroprocessor, microcontroller, or the like to run a softwareapplication to interpret the commands received from the remote control118 through the communications module 144. In an embodiment, thesoftware application may be interrupt based, polling based, or otherapplication method for determining when a user has selected a command onthe remote control 118. In an embodiment, the software application maybe stored in the controller 150, stored in bed memory 170, or the likeand may be stored as software, as firmware, as hardware, or the like.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may receive information from thecommunications module 144 by wired communication, wirelesscommunication, or the like. In an embodiment, the wireless communicationmay be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or otherwireless communication type.

In an embodiment, after the controller 150 has interpreted the receiveduser commands, the controller 150 may transmit the interpreted commandsto the various controllers for the adjustable bed facility 102components such as the actuators 120, vibrator facility 132, modularcontrols 148, power outlets 154, and the like. The controller 150 maytransmit information that may be further interpreted by the componentsinto commands for the individual components. For example, the controller150 may receive a command to move the head section up. The controller150 may interpret the remote control 118 command into a command theactuator may understand and may transmit the command to extend the headsection actuator to move the head section up.

In an embodiment, the power supply 152 may receive power from a standardwall outlet, fuse box, circuit box, or the like and may provide power toall the powered components of the adjustable bed facility 102. In anembodiment, the power supply 152 may provide DC power or AC power to thecomponents. In an embodiment, if the power supply 152 provides DC power,the power supply 152 may convert the incoming AC power into DC power forthe adjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the power outlets 154 may provide standard householdAC current using a standard outlet for use by external devices using astandard plug. In an embodiment, the power outlets 154 may receive powerdirectly from a standard wall outlet, a fuse box, a circuit box, or thelike, but the controller 150 may control whether the power outlet 154 onor off. In an embodiment, the power outlet 154 may have a controlcircuit that may determine if the power outlet 154 is active (on) orinactive (off). In an embodiment, the command to indicate if the poweroutlet 154 is active or inactive may be received from the controller150. In an embodiment, the controller 150 may receive commands for thepower outlet 154 control from the remote control 118.

In an embodiment, the power connection 158 may receive standard powerfor the adjustable bed facility 102 from a standard outlet, fuse box,circuit box, or the like. In an embodiment, the power connection 158 mayprovide standard AC power to the power outlets 154, the power supply152, or the like.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 160 may be any type ofdevice or facility that may be capable of improving that air environmentin the area of the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, theair purification facility 160 may be an absorbent type (e.g. carbon),electro-static, HEPA filter, or the like. In an embodiment, absorbentmaterials may be used in a filter, in the adjustable bed facility 102,in the mattress 124, or the like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants,or the like from the air environment around the bed, within the bed, orthe like. In an embodiment, electro-static or iconic air filters may usenegative ions to attract dust, contaminants, and the like from the air.In an embodiment, electro-static materials (e.g. tourmaline) may be usedin a filter, in the adjustable bed facility 102, in the mattress 124, orthe like to absorbed odor, dust, contaminants, or the like from the airenvironment around the bed, within the bed, or the like. In anembodiment, HEPA filters are composed of a mat of randomly arrangedfibers that are designed to trap at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold,bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 micrometers (μm)at 85 liters per minute (Lpm). The HEPA filter may be used in a device,facility, or the like for filtering the air in the area of theadjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 160 may be part of theadjustable bed facility 102, a freestanding device or facility, or thelike. In an embodiment, if the air purification facility 160 is part ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 the air purification facility 160 may beattached to any part of the adjustable bed facility 102 such as themattress 124, sub-frame 128, skeleton structure 130, or the like. In anembodiment, the air purification facility 160 that is attached to theadjustable bed facility 102 may be controlled direct control of the airpurification facility 160, control using the remote control 118, or thelike.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 160 may be a freestanding device that may be plugged into an adjustable bed facility 102,power outlet 154 and therefore may be controlled with the remote control118 controlling the on/off condition of the power outlet 154.

In an embodiment, the air purification facility 160 may be afreestanding device that may be connected to an adjustable bed facility102 modular control 148. The modular control 148 may provide power (ACor DC), control communication, and the like to the air purificationfacility 160. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the airpurification facility 160 using the remote control 118 to control themodular controls 148.

In an embodiment, the zone climate control system 162 may be any type ofdevice or facility that may be capable of controlling the environmentwithin one or more zones of the adjustable bed facility 102. In anembodiment, the zone may be a single room or may be two different sidesof the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, two differentusers may sleep in different environments or two users may sleep in asingle environment controlled by the zone climate control system 162. Inan embodiment, the user may request the provision of differentenvironments in the different sides of the adjustable bed facility 102.Accordingly, the zone climate control system 162 may decide on whichside the zone vents are to be closed and which side they are to be keptopen. Additionally, the zone climate control system 162 may heat or coolthe zones of the bed, circulate air to heat or cool a zone by mixing airwith air from another zone, circulate air to reduce excessiveconditioning of a zone, or circulate air to maintain air quality. In anembodiment, the zone climate control system 162 may determine anddevelop parameters such as airflow, thermal capacity, heating or coolingrequirements, and the like by measurement and/or derivation.

In an embodiment, the zone climate control system 162 may be a freestanding device that may be plugged into an adjustable bed facility 102power outlet 140 and therefore may be controlled with the remote control118 controlling the on/off condition of the power outlet 140.

In an embodiment, the zone climate control system 162 may be afreestanding device that may be connected to an adjustable bed facility102 modular control 148. The modular control 148 may provide power (ACor DC), control communication, and the like to the zone climate controlsystem 162. In an embodiment, the user may be able to control the zoneclimate control system 162 using the remote control 118 to control themodular controls 148.

In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may be a user controlled deviceto provide control commands to the controller 150 to command certainfunctions of the adjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, thecertain functions may be adjustable bed facility section movement (e.g.up or down), vibration control, modular controlled 132 devices, or thelike. In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may communicate with thecontrol box using wired communication, wireless communication, or thelike. In an embodiment, the wireless communication may be using a radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. If the remotecommunicates using a wireless technology, the communication may be withthe communications module 144 and the communications module 144 may passthe command request to the controller 150.

In an embodiment, the user may indicate the certain adjustable bedfacility 102 function using the remote control 118 by pressing a button,touching a screen, entering a code, speaking a command, or the like. Inan embodiment, the controller 150, using the communications module 144,may receive and interpret the command provided by the remote control118. In an embodiment, the certain functions available on the remote mayinstruct the controller 150 to directly control a device (e.g. actuator104), control a modular control 148 connected device, or the like. Theremote may control devices with commands that may include on, off, highpower, medium power, low power, volume, play, fast forward, rewind,skip, modular device to control, or the like. For example, the remotecontrol 118 may transmit a command to move the head section up and thecontroller 150 may command the actuator 120 to extend a certain amountin response to the command. In another example, the remote control 118may command that a modular control 148 connected lamp be turned off.

In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may save adjustable bedfacility 102 user preferred settings to a plurality of memory locationsthat may be used to maintain the user determined bed position, anadjustable bed facility 102 historical setting, or the like. Forexample, the user may have a certain preferred adjustable bed facility102 position that may be stored in at least one of the memory locationsthat the user may be able to later recall to move the adjustable bedfacility into the user preferred position. By indicating the recall ofthe at least one memory locations, the adjustable bed facility 102controller 150 may command the various components to move to the storedmemory location position to achieve the recalled position. In anembodiment, for a remote control 118 that may contain buttons, the usermay press a single button, a combination of buttons, or the like torecall the memory position desired.

In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may have buttons, an LCDscreen, a plasma screen, or the like to allow the user to indicate thedesired command. In an embodiment, the user may press a button toindicate a command to the controller 150. In an embodiment, the LCD orplasma screens may be touch screen sensitive. In an embodiment, theremote control 118 screen may present the available controls to the userand the user may touch the screen to indicate the command desired. Forexample, the remote control 118 screen may only present controls thatare available in the adjustable bed facility 102; therefore, if amodular control 148 is not available, the remote control 118 may notdisplay a selection for that modular control 148. In an embodiment, theremote control 118 screen may present content sensitive selections tothe user. For example, if the user selected to control a CD player, theuser may be presented with CD player controls that may include play,fast forward, rewind, skip, stop, repeat, or the like. Also, the LCDtouch screen may provide information relating to temperature, humidity,weather information, calendar, and contact personnel's lists, to-dolists, navigating maps or the like.

In an embodiment, the remote control 118 may provide feedback to theuser to indicate the success of the certain command. In an embodiment,the feedback may be an audio feedback, a visual feedback, a forcedfeedback, or the like. In an embodiment, the feedback types may be usedindividually or in combination. In an embodiment, the audio feedback maybe a sound that indicates that the command was successful, failed, is inprogress, in conflict with a command in progress, failed for safetyreasons, or the like. In an embodiment, the visual feedback may be anindication of the remote control 118 screen that indicates that thecommand was successful, failed, is in progress, in conflict with acommand in progress, failed for safety reasons, or the like. In anembodiment, the forced feedback may be a vibration that indicates thatthe command was successful, failed, is in progress, in conflict with acommand in progress, failed for safety reasons, or the like.

In an embodiment, a memory facility 164 may contain components that areintended to maintain certain memory locations for the control box toaccess, receiver to access, and the like. In an embodiment, the memoryfacility 164 may include a receiver learn facility 168, a bed memory170, a backup battery 172, and the like. In an embodiment, the receiverlearn facility 168, bed memory 170, and backup battery 172 may be in asingle memory facility 164 or may be in more than one memory facilities154. In an embodiment, the memory facility 164 may be part of theadjustable bed facility 102, part of the electronic facility 140, aseparate facility, or the like. In an embodiment, the receiver learnfacility 168, bed memory 170, and backup battery 172 may not be part ofthe memory facility 164, but may be combined into other facilities ordevices, be stand-alone devices, or the like.

In an embodiment, the receiver learn facility 168 may act to establishthe communication link between the remote control 118 and thecommunications module 144 where the communication between the remotecontrol 118 and communications module 144 is a wireless connection. Inan embodiment, the communication link between the remote control 118 andthe communications module 144 may need to be a unique connection toassure that the remote control 118 communicates with only onecommunications module 144 within one adjustable bed facility 102. In anembodiment, the receiver learns facility 152 may be used to provide aunique communication between any remote control 118 and any adjustablebed facility 102. For example, a remote control 118 may be used tocommunicate with a first adjustable bed facility 102 and may be used toestablish communication between the same remote and a second adjustablebed facility 102. The remote control 118 may only be able to communicatewith one adjustable bed facility 102 at a time.

In an embodiment, a learn protocol between the remote control 118 andcommunications module 144 may be user initiated by pressing a button onthe receiver learn facility 168, powering up the receiver learn facility168, bringing the receiver learn facility 168 within a certain proximityof the communications module 144, indicating on the remote control 118to begin the learn protocol, or the like. In an embodiment, the learnprotocol may be fully automatic, semi-automatic with user intervention,manual, or the like. In an embodiment, a user may select a channel,frequency, or the like during learn protocol or after the learnprotocol. The changing of the channel, frequency, or the like mayprevent two different remote control 118 and communications module 144combinations from interfering with other wireless communication devices.In an embodiment, each time the learn protocol is executed, a new uniquecommunication link may be established; there may be a plurality ofunique communication links available for each remote control 118 andcommunications module 144 combination.

In an embodiment, the bed memory 170 may be the memory location wherethe controller 150 stores user desired preset information, software forinterpreting remote control 118 commands, demonstration software, andthe like. In an embodiment, the bed memory 170 may be removable memory.For example, the bed memory 170 may be moved from a first adjustable bedfacility 102 to a second bed facility 102 to move user settings from thefirst adjustable bed facility 102 to the second bed facility 102. Inthis manner, the bed memory 170 may be considered portable memory. In anembodiment, the removable bed memory 170 may be flash memory,programmable logic circuit memory, secure digital (SD) memory, mini SDmemory, Compact Flash type I memory, Compact Flash type II memory,Memory Stick, Multimedia Card, xD Picture card, Smartmedia, eXtremeDigital, Microdrive, or the like.

In an embodiment, the removable bed memory 170 may be used to upgradethe adjustable bed facility 102 memory and software. For example, if newcontroller 150 software was developed to provide better control over oneof the adjustable bed facility 102 components, the software may be savedto a new replaceable memory that may be used in the place of theexisting replaceable memory. In this manner, the software of theadjustable bed facility 102 could be upgraded just by providing the userwith a new replaceable memory.

In an embodiment, the removable memory may be used to provide a salesenterprise with adjustable bed facility 102 demonstration software wherethe enterprise may be able to indicate at least one of a plurality ofdemonstrations for a user. For example, the user may be interested inhow the adjustable bed facility 102 sections may be adjusted and theenterprise may select a demonstration to shows all the section motionavailable. In an embodiment, before an adjustable bed facility 102 isshipped to a user, the enterprise may remove the demonstration removablememory and replace it with a standard adjustable bed facility 102 bedmemory 170.

In an embodiment, the backup battery 172 may be used to provide power tovolatile memory, provide power to the receiver learn facility 168;provide power to the programmable logic circuit memory, or the like.

In an embodiment, the memory connection 174 may be any connection typethat provides a connection between the bed memory 170, controller 150,and the like. In an embodiment, the memory connection 174 may be a wiredor wireless connection. The wired connection may be a USB connection, aserial connection, parallel connection, or the like. The wirelessconnection may be by radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, orthe like. In an embodiment, the memory connection 174 may be in alocation that is easy for the user to access the bed memory 170, may beattached to the memory facility 164, may be attached to the controller150, or the like. In an embodiment, the easy access memory connectionmay be on the side of the adjustable bed facility 102, on a rail of theadjustable bed facility 102, under the adjustable bed facility 102, orthe like.

In an embodiment, the network connection 178 may be used to connect thecontroller 150 to a network connection. In an embodiment, the networkconnection may be a LAN, a WAN, an Internet, an intranet, peer-to-peernetwork, or the like. Using the network connection 178, the controller150 may be able to communicate with computer devices on the network. Inan embodiment, the network connection 178 may be a wired or wirelessconnection.

In an embodiment, using the network connection 178, the controller 150may be able to communicate with the network to periodically check forsoftware updates. In an embodiment, if a software update is located, thecontroller 150 may send the user an email, instant messenger message,phone message, phone call, cell phone message, cell phone call, fax,pager message, or the like to indicate that software updates areavailable. The user, using the device that received the notice ofsoftware, may send a reply to the control box that the software upgradeshould be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or the like.

In an embodiment, an adjustable bed facility 102 enterprises, anadjustable bed facility 102 manufacturers, an adjustable bed facility102 service enterprises, or the like may send the controller 150software updates using the network connection 178. In an embodiment, anadjustable bed facility 102 enterprise, an adjustable bed facility 102manufacturer, an adjustable bed facility 102 service enterprise, or thelike may notify the user of available software upgrades for theadjustable bed facility 102 by email, instant messenger message, phonemessage, phone call, message, cell phone call, fax, pager message, orthe like. The user, using the device that received the notice ofsoftware, may send a reply to the adjustable bed facility 102enterprise, the adjustable bed facility 102 manufacturer, the adjustablebed facility 102 service enterprise, or the like that the softwareupgrade should be downloaded, should not be downloaded, or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an embodiment of shipping andassembling a mattress retaining bracket 402 is shown. The mattressretaining bracket 402 may be used to hold the mattress 124 (not shown)in place on the adjustable bed facility 102 as the adjustable bedfacility 102 sections are adjusted. For example, as the head section isadjusted up, the mattress 124 may tend to slide down towards the foot ofthe bed, the mattress retaining bracket 402 may stop the mattress fromsliding and may maintain the mattress 124 in the proper position on theadjustable bed facility 102. In an embodiment, there may be a mattressretaining 402 bracket at the head section and/or the foot section of theadjustable bed facility 102.

In an embodiment, the mattress retaining bracket 402 may be made ofmaterials that include metal, plastic, rubber, wood, or the like. In anembodiment, the materials may be used individually or in combination.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the adjustable bed facility102 is shipped to the user, the mattress retaining bracket 402 may bemounted upside down at the final location of the mattress retainingbracket 402. This mounting method may provide benefits that may includemattress retaining bracket 402 breakage prevention, mattress retainingbracket 402 bending prevention, clear user understanding of the finalmattress retaining bracket 402 location, prevention of the mattressretaining bracket 402 becoming lost, and the like. In an embodiment, asshown in FIG. 4B, once the user receives the adjustable bed facility 102with the upside down mounted mattress retaining bracket 402, the usermay rotate the mattress retaining bracket 402 into the upright positionand re-secure it to the adjustable bed facility 102.

Referring to FIG. 6, an example of an adjustable bed 600 (without themattress) is shown with the head 602 and foot 604 sections raised to anelevated position. This adjustable bed 600 shows that sections, in thiscase the foot 604 section, may be divided into more than one section toprovide contouring of bed sections.

Referring to FIG. 7, an example of actuators 120 connected to the bedframe 702 and the adjustable sections 704 is shown. In this case, twoactuators 120 are used, one for each adjustable bed section 704.

Referring to FIG. 8, an example of more than one actuator 120 for eachadjustable bed section 802 is shown; in this case, there are twoactuators 120 for each adjustable section 802. In embodiments, more thanone actuator 120 per section 802 may be used if the bed sections 802 areheavy, smaller actuators 120 are used, if the bed is a wide bed (e.g.king bed), or the like.

Referring to FIG. 9, an example of an adjustable bed 900 using slats 902instead of wood decking for the foundation of the adjustable sections isshown. In embodiments, the slats 902 may be wood, plastic, rubber,cloth, elastic material, or the like. Using this design, the adjustablebed 900 may be provided with curved contours has shown in the headsection 904. In an embodiment, the curved sections may be constructed ofa number of small connected individual sections.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may include more than onesection/frame. The sections/frames may be fixed or may beadjustable/movable. Further, the sections/frames may be assembledtogether to form the skeleton structure 130 in such a way that thesections/frames may be able to move relative to each other to providethe various bed positions required by the user. To achieve this, thesections/frames may be connected together using hinges or like devicesthat allow a freedom of motion between them. In one embodiment, oneframe/section may remain fixed and may act as the foundation for theother movable frames/sections. For example, in an arrangement as shownin FIGS. 10A and 10B, the skeleton structure 130 may have a fixed centerframe 1002 and, optionally, adjustable frames for the head 1004, foot1008, or leg 1010. In this arrangement, the adjustable head frame 1004and the adjustable leg frame 1010 may be pivotally attached to thecenter frame 1002. The pivot attachments may enable rotational movementof the head frame 1004 and the leg frame 1010 with respect to the fixedcenter frame 1002. In a scenario, because of this rotational movement,the head frame 1004 may be raised with the help of the actuators 120 toraise the upper portion of a patient body during meals. Further, thehead frame 1004 may be lowered to the normal level after the patient hashad his/her meal. In a similar fashion, a person lying on the adjustablebed 102 may raise or lower the head frame 1004 and/or the foot frame1008 to his/her convenience. In another embodiment, any or none of theframes/sections may be a fixed foundation section in the adjustable bedfacility 102. In embodiments, there may be more than one adjustable bedfacility 102 configuration depending on the requirements of a user, costrequirements, medical needs, or the like. For example, there may be aconfiguration where only the head section is adjustable to provide theuser with the ability to have an elevated upper body position. Thisconfiguration may be a single purpose bed but may also provide the userwith a less expensive adjustable bed facility 102 that meets the user'sneeds. One skilled in the art may understand that there may be manydifferent adjustable bed facility configurations containing fixed andmoveable sections. For example, FIG. 35 shows an embodiment of the headframe 1004 including a single piece of material 3502 (e.g., bent steelor the like) as the underlying support as an alternative to two straightpieces of material 1020 as shown in FIG. 10A.

In embodiments, there may be different combinations of movable and fixedsections with one or all of the sections being movable. In anembodiment, the sections may include the skeleton structure 130,mattress 124, springs 122, and the like, and may individually be smallmattress structures of the entire adjustable bed facility 102 mattress.

In embodiments, the frames may be made of square tubular steelbars/pipes or any other material capable of providing required strengthto the frames. In preferred embodiments, each frame may include twosubstantially parallel side frame members connected by one or moreconnector frame members. In order to connect the parallel side framemembers, various joining methods such as welding, brazing, riveting,fastening with nuts, and the like can be used. For example, the centerframe 1002 may include two substantially parallel side frame members1012 connected by two substantially parallel connector frame members1014 and 1018. The two connector frame members 1014 and 1018 may belocated within approximately a center one-third of the length of theside frame members 1012. Once the frame members have been connected toeach other using any one of the joining methods as discussed above, thecenter frame 1002 may take a substantially square or rectangular shape.Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the frames may havevarious other shapes and designs to perform the same functionality andwithout deviating from the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 114, as part of each adjustablebed facility 102 frame/section, may also provide support and connectionmembers for the components that may be used to move the variousadjustable bed facility 102 sections. There may be skeleton structure130 members that provide connection support to the actuators 120,supports 134, safety brackets 122, vibration motors 118, and the like.These support and connection members may have any shape or configurationrequired to provide the support and connections needed by the variousother components. For example, in addition to the skeleton structure 130that is used to provide support to the mattress 124 and springs 122there may be at least one cross member that may provide a connection tothe actuator 120 and safety bracket 138.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 and the sub-frame 128 mayinterface with each other; the sub-frame 128 may provide structuralsupport and a rigid foundation base to the skeleton structure 130. In anarrangement of this embodiment, only one frame of the skeleton structure130 may be attached with the sub-frame 128. For example, the centerframe 1002 may be rigidly attached to the sub frame 112 in such a mannerthat the center frame 1002 may not move with respect to the sub frame128. The sub-frame 128 may provide a base to solidly connect the centerframe 1002 to provide a fixed non-moving section. The other moveableframes such as the head frame 1004 and the foot frame 1008 may bemoveably connected to the fixed center frame 1002 and additionallysupported by the sub-frame 128 using a moveable interface connection.

In an embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may be the rigid structure that isin contact to the floor and may provide a base for any fixed adjustablebed facility 102 sections and an interface for any movable adjustablebed facility 102 sections. In an embodiment, the sub-frame 128 legs maybe connected to the sub-frame 128 using a threaded stud into threads ofthe sub-frame 128. In an embodiment, to prevent the threaded stud frompulling out of the legs during tightening, the head of the threaded studmay be fixed between two or more layers of leg material. Thisconstruction may trap the threaded stud head to prevent it from movingaway from the end of the leg and may also prevent the threaded stud headfrom being pulled through the end of the leg during the tightening ofthe leg to the sub-frame. In addition, the two or more layers of legmaterial may provide for added strength to the sub-frame 128 legs toprevent distortion at the sub-frame 128 and leg interface. In anembodiment, the sub-frame 128 may have structural members that may runalong the length of the adjustable bed facility 102, run along the widthof the adjustable bed facility 102, run diagonally across the adjustablebed facility 102, or other orientation in relation to the adjustable bedfacility 102 that may be required for support or connection tocomponents.

In an embodiment, the skeleton structure 130 may be used as an RFantenna for receiving communication from the remote control 118. Inembodiment, the entire skeleton structure 130 may be used as an antenna;a portion of the skeleton structure 130 may be used as an antenna, orthe like.

In one embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may provide solid connections forany fixed section and skeleton structure 130 by rigidly connecting theskeleton structure 130 directly to the sub-frame 128. In this manner,any fixed section and skeleton structure 130 may be rigidly connected tothe sub-frame 128, and through the sub-frame 128, rigidly connected tothe floor.

In another embodiment, the sub-frame 128 may provide an interface forthe fixed adjustable bed facility 102 section and skeleton structure 130where the fixed section may be able to move or slide in relation to thesub-frame 128. By providing a non-rigid interface connection between thesub-frame 128 and the skeleton structure 114, the fixed adjustable bedfacility 102 section may have a freedom of motion but still may besupported by the sub-frame in a solid foundation manner. For example, asshown in FIG. 11, the center frame 1002 may have wheels 1102 that run ina track 1104 and may be able to move horizontally during the motion ofone or more of the movable frames. The track 1104 may be in form of agroove, a “C” channel, or the like. Alternatively, the track 1104 may bein the form of a tube and the wheels 1102 may include a concave surfacethat meets the track 1104, allowing the wheels 110 to run over the track1104. In an embodiment, the horizontal freedom of motion may provide fora “wall hugger” feature where, as the head frame 1004 is adjusted up,the center frame 1002 may move, along with the head frame 1004,horizontally backward and towards an adjacent wall to maintain a fixeddistance between the head frame 1004 and the wall, therefore “hugging”the wall. Similarly, when the head frame 1004 is adjusted down, thecenter frame 1002 may move horizontally forward and away from the wallto maintain the fixed distance. It may be understood by one skilled inthe art that the moveable interface between the skeleton structure 130and sub-frames 128 may be any type of interface, such as a rack and apinion arrangement that may allow freedom of motion between thesub-frame 128 and skeleton structure 114.

In an embodiment, any adjustable section/frame may have two connections,a first connection may be provided by a hinge type connection and asecond connection may be the connection with the actuator 120 and safetybracket 138 that may provide the force to rotate the adjustable bedfacility 102 section up or down. In an embodiment, the hinge typeconnection between the skeleton structure 130 of a first section and asecond section may provide the point of rotation for the section motion.In an embodiment, the adjustable bed facility 102 may contain more thanone section and any or all of the sections may be connected by a hingetype connection. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the head frame 1004may be connected to the center frame 1002 by two hinge joints. Here, theparallel side frame members of the head frame 1004 may be pivotallyconnected to a forward connector frame member 1014 of the center frame1002. The hinged joints between each of the parallel side frame membersof the head frame 1004 and the forward connector frame member 1014 mayenable the rotational motion between the center frame 1002 and the headframe 1004. In an arrangement of this embodiment, the hinge joints maybe reinforced by providing a “U” shaped end bracket 1202 at the end ofthe parallel side frame members. The “U” shaped end bracket 1202 may beof any thickness that increases the strength of the hinge joint toprevent bending. The thickness of the “U” shaped end bracket 1202 may bedetermined by the amount of force and torque that may need to beresisted during the movement. Embodiments of the hinge type connectionmay include door hinges or the like.

With the adjustable bed facility 102 sections interconnected using hingetype connections there may be at least one actuator 120 that may providea connection between a fixed adjustable bed facility 102 section and amoveable section. In an embodiment, the hinge connection between theadjustable bed facility 102 sections may be a pivot point bracket thatmay include additional strengthening to resist bending forces. In anembodiment, the actuation 104 connection may be between two of theskeleton structures 114. For example, a first end of the actuator 120may be connected to the rear connector frame member 1018 of the centerframe 1002 and a second end of the actuator 120 may be connected to theframe that is to be moved (e.g. head frame 1004, leg frame 1010, or footframe 1008). In an arrangement, as shown in FIG. 13, a downwardly facingextension frame member/a gusset 1302 may be attached to the head frame1004 or any other frame to be moved. Further, the actuator 120 may beconnected to the head frame 1004 to be moved using the downwardly facingextension frame member.

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, there may be the gusset 1302 forconnection between the actuator 120 and the adjustable bed facility 102section/frame. In embodiments, the gusset 1302 may be an I beam, a Tbeam, an L beam, a box beam, or any other beam design that may providethe strength to lift the combined weight of the adjustable bed facility102 section and the user without bending. In an embodiment, to resistbending forces at the connections to the actuator 120 and the adjustablebed facility 102 section, the ends of the gusset may be reinforced. Inembodiments, the reinforcement may be an additional bracket added to theends of the gusset, such as a U bracket or other bracket shape, toprovide for increased material thickness and strength of the gussetends. The thickness of the additional bracket may be determined by theamount of force and torque that may need to be resisted during theadjustable bed facility 102 section movement.

In an embodiment, the controller 150 may coordinate the electronicrequirements of the electronic facility 140. In an embodiment, thecontroller 150 may interface with the communications module 144, remotecontrol 118, air purification facility 160, zone climate control 162,power outlets 154, power connection 158, power supply 152, modularcontrols 148, wire harness 142, and the like. In an embodiment, thecontroller 150, communications module 144, and power supply 152 may bemounted directly to the skeleton structure 114. The controller 150,communications module 144, and the power supply 152 may be mounted onthe center frame 1002. In order to provide a proper mounting space tothe controller 150, the communications module 144, and the power supply152, an additional frame member 1402 may be added. The additional framemember 1402 may be made of a tubular construction. The additional framemember 1402 is designed in such a manner that it can bear the load ofthe components mounted on it. In another embodiment, the controller 150,the communications module 144, and the power supply 152 may be mountedon any other frame member of the center frame 1002.

FIG. 15 illustrates an accelerometer 1504 for an adjustable bed 1510 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describe FIG.15, reference will be made to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 11, although it isunderstood that the accelerometer 1504 can be practiced in differentembodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that theaccelerometer 1504 may have more or less system elements.

As shown in FIG. 15, the adjustable bed 1510 may include a controller1502 and a processor 1508. The controller 1502, which may be fixed tothe moving frame of the adjustable bed 1510, may include theaccelerometer 1504. In embodiments, the accelerometer 1504 may be wiredto an electronic circuit inside the controller 1502. Further, theaccelerometer 1504 may generate one or more signals in response to thechange in the speed of movement of the adjustable bed 1510.

In the present embodiment, the signals generated by the accelerometer1504 may represent the acceleration or deceleration in the movement ofthe adjustable bed 1510. These signals may be transmitted to theprocessor 1508 for processing. The processor 1508 may encrypt thereceived signals and may generate instructions in response to thereceived signals. For example, the instructions may correspond tostopping the movement of the adjustable bed 1510. Following this, theprocessor 1508 may communicate the instructions to the controller 1502of the adjustable bed 1510. In embodiments, a controller in thecontroller 1502 may control the adjustable parameter(s) of theadjustable bed 1510 in response to the received instructions. Forexample, the accelerometer 1504 may generate one or more signalscorresponding to the deceleration in the movement of the adjustable bed1510 caused by an added significant weight. The accelerometer 1504 maytransmit these signals to the processor 1508. The processor 1508 mayinstruct the controller 1502 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed1510. This may ensure the safety of a user. Also, the accelerometer 1504may detect changes in the speed of the movement of the adjustable bed1510, where the movement is hindered by an object trapped inside theadjustable bed 1510.

In embodiments, the processor 1508 may encrypt the received signals andmay convert to signal values. These received signal values may becompared with a pre-determined threshold value. These threshold valuesmay be stored in the controller 1502 and may be set/reset by anadministrator. In an exemplary scenario, the processor 1508 may instructthe controller 1502 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed 1510when the received value exceeds the pre-determined threshold value.

In another exemplary scenario, the accelerometer 1504 may detect theblocked movement of the adjustable bed 1510 and transmit these signalsto the processor 1508. In response to the transmitted signals, theprocessor 1508 may instruct the controller 1502 to cease the movement ofthe adjustable bed 1510. Also, the controller 1502 may move theadjustable bed 1510 slightly. Such movements may ensure the safety ofthe user. For example, a user may get on/off the adjustable bed 1510 orjump on/off the bed or in similar situations, the movement of theadjustable bed 1510 may be stopped. Therefore, a movable frame of theadjustable bed 1510 may be programmed to cease its operation wheneverthe user makes a significant motion.

In one embodiment, the controller 1502, with an accelerometer 1504, maybe mounted on the center frame 1002 of the adjustable bed 1510. Asdescribed previously, the horizontal freedom of motion of the adjustablebed 1510 may provide a “wall hugger” feature to the adjustable bed 1510.In this embodiment, as the head frame 1004 is adjusted up, the centerframe 1002 may move, along with the head frame 1004; i.e., the centerframe 1002 may move horizontally backward and towards an adjacent wallto maintain a fixed distance between the head frame 1004 and the wall,therefore “hugging” the wall. In such an arrangement, the accelerometer1504 may detect the fast and/or slow movement of the adjustable bed 1510towards or away from the wall. These signals may then be transmitted tothe processor 1508. The processor 1508 may instruct the controller 1502to cease the movement of the adjustable bed 1510.

In another embodiment, the horizontal freedom of motion of theadjustable bed 1510 may be limited. Such adjustable beds 1510 may bereferred to as “non-wall hugger” types. In this embodiment, therestricted horizontal movement of the center frame 1002 may limit thebackward and forward movement towards or away from an adjacent wall.Therefore, the adjustable bed 1510 may not hug the wall. In the presentarrangement, the controller 1502 may be placed along the head frame 1004of the adjustable bed. As the head frame 1004 is adjusted up or down,the controller 1502 may move along with the head frame 1004 moving upand down. In response, the accelerometer 1504 may transmit the signalsrepresenting the change in the movement of the head frame 1004 of theadjustable bed to the processor 1508. The processor 1508 may instructthe controller 1502 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed 1510 inresponse to the signals received from the accelerometer 1504. Forinstance, the blocked movement of the adjustable bed 1510 may reduce themovement of the adjustable bed 1510. As a result, the processor 1508 mayaddress the controller 1502, and the movement of the adjustable bed 1510may be stopped.

In another embodiment, the accelerometer 1504 may be placed in the drivemotor of the adjustable bed 1510. In embodiments, the accelerometer 1504may be wired to the PCB of the motor. In such an arrangement, theaccelerometer 1504 may be coupled to at least one portion of the motorthat may not retract against a force. In the present embodiment, theaccelerometer 1504 may generate and transmit signals representingblocked movement of the frame or the motor. The movement may be blockedby an object or a person. The transmitted signals may be compared withthe pre-determined threshold value. Accordingly the movement of theadjustable bed 1510 may be stopped. The transmitted signals may varyaccording to the use of the adjustable bed facility.

In embodiments, the accelerometer 1504 and the processor 1508 maytransmit the signals wirelessly. The wireless communication may be byradio frequency (RF), UHF, HF, infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. Inembodiments, the controller 1502 may have an antenna to receive thecontrol signals from the processor 1508. In an embodiment, the wirelesstechnology may include BLUETOOTH, ultra-wideband (UWB), wireless USB(WUSB), IEEE 802.11, cellular, or the like.

The remote control 118 may include one or more motion detection devices,such as accelerometers, magnetic field detectors, and the like. Theremote control 118 may detect a motion of the remote control 118 throughthese devices and communicate a representation of that motion to thecontroller 150 to enable control of a feature of the adjustable bed. Inan example, a user may make a lifting motion with the remote control 118and the controller 150 may begin to raise an adjustable portion of thebed until the user makes another motion, such as a back and forth motionindicating to the controller 150 to stop raising the adjustable bedportion. Various other gestures may be made by with the controller toperform other functions including lifting a leg portion of the bed,lowering a back portion of the bed, and the like. Similarly, thegestures could be used to control one or more of the auxiliary devices,to play games on a display controlled by the remote control 118similarly to a hand held game console device, and the like.

In embodiments, the remote control 118 may include slider controls 1604that enable the user to control aspects of the adjustable bed facility102, such as shown in FIG. 16. The slider control 1604 may function whena user slides their finger along the slider control 1604 in adjustmentof some aspect of the adjustable bed facility 102, such as theadjustment of a position motor, the power level of a vibration motor,and the like. In addition, the slider control 1604 may control anadjustable feature within the modular controls 148 of the adjustable bedfacility 102, such as the volume level of an audio device, the volumelevel of an audio-visual device, the lighting level of a lamp, a settingof the air purification system 144, the setting of a height of amotorized set of blinds, the speaker volume level of a phone, and thelike. The slider control 1604 may be in a plurality of shapes, such ascircular 1604A, linear 1604B, semi-circular, and the like. Inembodiments, the slider control 1604 may be configured in a twodimensional area, where control is provided in multiple dimensions, suchas on the touchpad of a laptop computer. In embodiments, the slider maybe implemented with a plurality of technologies, such as the use of amechanical slider that moves along a track as the user moves theirfinger, a capacitive coupled touch surface that utilizes changes incapacitance resulting from a user touching or pressing against theslider control 1604 surface, a piezoelectric coupled touch-screen thatutilizes changes in electrical potential resulting from a user touchingor pressing against the slider control 1604 surface, a thin filmtransistor (TFT) touch-screen LCD display, and the like. In embodiments,the touch-screen technologies may have the look and operate in a similarfashion to more conventional mechanical slider and wheel configurations.In addition, the touch-screen technologies may be configured in a layoutdepicting the physical layout of some mechanical device or control, suchas a button, a wheel, a slider, or the like, or a pictorialrepresentation of the adjustable bed, with lift motor buttons, vibrationmotor buttons, sliders for moving the positions of adjustable portionsof the bed, and the like. In embodiments, the use of slider controls1604, implemented any one of a plurality of technologies, may providethe user of the adjustable bed facility 102 with greater flexibilityand/or greater ease of use in implementing a controllable aspect of theadjustable bed facility 102.

In embodiments, the remote control 118 may utilize a combination of pushbutton controls 1602 and slider controls 1604. Push buttons may not onlyperform discrete functions, such as push to active/deactivate anadjustable bed facility 102 function, but may be used in combinationwith the slider control to select a function of the slider control 1602or change some aspect of the slider control 1602. For example, a pushbutton control 1602 may sequence through a choice of functions that theslider 1604 controls, such as clicking a button 1602 once for head motorposition control, twice for foot motor control, three times for headvibration power level, and the like. In addition, the selected functionmay be indicated visually though some display capability of the remotecontrol 118, such as through LEDs, an LCD display, or the like. Inembodiments, the buttons 1602 may be used in combination with the slidercontrol 1604 to adjust the sensitivity of the slider control 1604, suchas pressing a button 1602 a plurality of times to make control of aposition motor through the slider control 1604 more or less sensitive,slower or faster, and the like. In embodiments, buttons may provide aplurality of other slider control 1604 related features, such ascalibration, default position setting, reset control, and the like. Inembodiments, the slider control 1604, when depressed with increasedpressure, may perform as a button control, where functions as discussedherein are executed with the use of the slider control 1604 acting as abutton control 1602.

In embodiments, there may be a display indication on the remote control118 associated with the position of articulated portions of theadjustable bed facility 102, such as providing a numeric indication, avisual indication, a bar graph indication, an illuminated sliderindication, and angle indication, or the like. For instance, theposition of the articulated head portion of the adjustable bed facility102 may be adjustable from a flat position to a position of maximumelevation, say up at 70 degrees. The remote control 118 may control thepositioning of the head portion, and the current position may beindicated by, for example, a number from 0 to 100, where 0 representsthe flat position, and 100 represents the most elevated position. Inthis example, the display of the remote control 118 may indicate thenumerical equivalent to the current position, where the numericalindication changes as the head portion of the adjustable bed facility102 moves. In embodiments, the remote control 118 implementation mayutilize any of a plurality of numeric schemes, as the number may only bea representation of the position of the bed. In addition, the user maybe able to input the numerical equivalent into the remote control 118device, for example, by inputting a number such as 50, and having thehead portion of the adjustable bed facility 102 rise to a halfwayposition. The user may be able to store the numerical equivalent oftheir favorite positions, such as a user inputting and storing thenumber 25, and being able to recall the stored position in any of aplurality of ways associated with the controls of the remote control118, such as depressing a memory recall button or the like. The user mayalso use the remote's sliders 1604 to easily find a position number theydesire, even if not saved in memory, select it and then have the framego to it immediately. This may let the user select, push, and relaxrather than having to hold a button and pay attention to the location ofthe adjustable bed facility 102 as it moves near the desired position.These examples are meant to be illustrative of how a numeric oralphanumeric characters may be used to monitor, store, and recallarticulated bed facility 102 positions, and is not meant to be limiting.One skilled in the art would recognize the plurality of similar schemesto achieve similar results. In embodiments these methods may be appliedto any remote control 118 parameter, including head motors, foot motors,vibration motors, and the like, as well as modular controls 148 such asaudio, video, lamps, air purification, outlets, and the like.

In embodiments, the display indication on the remote control 118 may beassociated with a memory function resident on the remote control 118, orin association with the table data 202, 222 stored in the controller150, as described herein. In embodiments, the implementation of thedisplay indication may be associated with both a memory function in theremote control 118 and the table 202, 222 in the controller 150. Thisimplementation may utilize two-way communications between the remotecontrol and the controller 150, so as to produce a closed-loop commandand verification scheme. For instance, in a scheme where commands areonly transmitted to the controller 150, the display on the remotecontrol 118 may only indicate the commanded intention of the user, andmay under some circumstances, such as when a command is not received bythe controller 150, reflect the current state of the adjustable bedfacility 102. With two-way communications however, the remote control118 may always reflect the state of the adjustable bed facility 102 asverified by a return confirmation, or in returned telemetry, from thecontroller 150. The returned confirmation may reflect the state of theadjustable bed facility 102 as provided in the controller's data table202, 222, such as the current pointer position in the table 202, 222, amemory location stored in the table 202, 222, a memory location notstored in the table 202, 222, the total range depicted in the table 202,222, and the like. As a result, the two-way communications scheme mayprovide a more reliable system implementation. In embodiments however, aone-way command scheme may provide an effective system implementation ata reduced cost. In embodiments, a one-way scheme may utilize a statesynchronization event, such as a reset whenever the adjustable bedfacility 102 is set back to the flat position, to help ensure that thepositions indicated by the remote control 118 are periodicallysynchronized to the data stored in the adjustable bed's controller 150.

In embodiments, groupings of push buttons 1602 may be provided withadjacent button 1602 suppression. Adjacent button 1602 suppression maywork to prevent multiple buttons 1602 or sliders 1604 from responding toa single touch, which may occur with closely spaced buttons 1602 orsliders 1604, such as on a remote control 118. This may be especiallythe case for users of an adjustable bed facility 102 that areexperiencing reduced motor control due to illness or advanced age.Adjacent button 1602 suppression may operate by comparing signalstrengths from buttons 1602 within a group of buttons 1602 to suppresstouch detections from those that have a weaker signal change than thedominant one. When enabled, the adjacent button 1602 suppression mayallow only one independent button 1602, or slide control 1604 function,to indicate one touch at a time. In embodiments, adjacent button 1602suppression may be enabled or disabled, either globally for all buttons1602, or for a subset of buttons 1602, leaving other buttons 1602 to beused in combination.

In embodiments, the remote control 118 may provide for proximitysensing, such that a user may execute a function by bringing their handclose to the remote control 118. For instance, the remote control 118may change power modes as a result of a user moving their hand in closeproximity to the remote control 118, such as from a low power mode to afully active mode. This proximity effect may be implemented through useof a capacitively coupled sensor, utilizing a large electrode within theremote control 118, where the change in capacitance due to the closeproximity of the user's hand is sufficient to activate the sensor, andthereby executing the function. In embodiments, the function activatedmay be any function under remote control, as well as functions such aspower modes. Power modes may include a plurality of modes, such as afree-run mode, a low power mode, a sleep mode, and the like. The powermode may be activated either manually, for instance via some buttoncontrol 1602, or automatically, but such activation indicators as theproximity sensor, a timer function, light source presence, and the like.

In an embodiment, a motion sensor may be provided, either associateddirectly with the adjustable bed facility 102, on the remote control, orin the environment, such that any movement in the bed may be detected.For example, if a child is sleeping and gets up due to hunger, distressor the like and leaves the adjustable bed 102, the motion sensor may beactivated and may signal an alarm indicating the child is awake. In asimilar manner, the remote control may provide a sound sensor, such thatany noise made in the room may be detected. For example, a child crying,any intruder in the room, any abnormal disturbances like earthquake andthe like, may activate the sound sensor. The sound sensor may transmitthe signals and an alarm may ring indicating additional noise ordisturbance in the room. More generally, any of the types of sensorsdescribed herein, such as motion sensors, sound sensors, weight sensors,chemical sensors, smoke detectors, temperature sensors, pressuresensors, or the like may be used to sense a condition of the environmentassociated with the adjustable furniture facility or a user of thecontrol facility to sense a condition or determine a state or event thatmay, under control of the control facilities for the adjustablefurniture facility, be used to trigger actuation of a component of theadjustable bed facility or one or more of the other systems associatedwith the adjustable bed facility. The sensor may be included in afeedback loop whereby the sensor continuously updates the controlfacilities as components or systems are controlled to arrive at anoptimal control state for the adjustable furniture facility or foranother system associated with the adjustable furniture facility. Inaddition, the control facilities may obtain information about the stateof a user, a state of the adjustable furniture facility, or the state ofanother system associated with the adjustable furniture facility througha computer or information technology facility, such as by networkcommunication of state information from the adjustable furniturefacility or another system. The state information may be used to controlor actuate a component of the adjustable furniture facility or ofanother system associated with the adjustable furniture facility. Inembodiments, state information may be integrated at the control facilityusing a data integration facility. In embodiments state information maybe obtained at the control facility by pinging or pulling informationfrom other systems, or by having state information pushed to the controlfacility by the other systems. In embodiments one or more services (suchas software-based services), may be used to communicate stateinformation between or among the control facility for the adjustable bedfacility and one or more other systems, such as in a services-orientedsoftware architecture. Devices may thus communicate their stateinformation to the control facility for the adjustable bed facility 102,such as state information about on/off condition, operational levelssuch as volume control, temperature control, and the like, stateinformation about users, state information about the environment, stateinformation about content (such as information about music, video,television, computer gaming or other content), state information aboutsafety, and any other state, condition or attribute described throughoutthis disclosure. State information, whether obtained from sensors or bycommunication among devices, may be used to determine an event orattribute that can in turn trigger actuation of control; thus, thecontrol system for the adjustable furniture facility may actuate a widerange of actions, on the adjustable furniture facility or on anothersystem associated with it, based on state information. Examples includeactuating an alert in response to a safety condition (such as cryingchild, a child out of bed, stillness of an elderly patient, or thelike), adjusting entertainment content in response to a state (turningoff the system or turning down volume upon detecting snoring, turningdown the lights on detecting sleep, selecting preferred content upondetecting presence of a particular user), adjusting comfort-basedfactors based on state detection (adjusting position, vibration,temperature, volume, content or the like based on detection of user'spresence; adjusting some component based on time of day), and manyothers.

In embodiments, the remote control 118 may provide for reducedsusceptibility to RF noise, possibly due to the electro-magneticenvironment the adjustable bed facility 102 is exposed to. For example,the remote control may provide RF transmissions that operate in a burstmode, where bursts are transmitted utilizing spread-spectrum techniques.Such a technique may provide transmission over a spread of frequencies,so that external fields may have a reduced effect on the operation ofthe remote control 118.

In embodiments, the remote control 118 may provide for a data and powercable interface to provide recharging and data exchange capabilitieswith the remote control 118. The data portion of the cable interface mayinterface with a computing facility, such as personal computer, mobilecomputing device, PDA, mobile phone, another remote control 118, atroubleshooting facility, and the like. The power portion of the cableinterface may provide for the recharging of the remote control's 118batteries, and in embodiments, may be similar to that of a cell phonecharging cable. In embodiments, the data and power interface may utilizea standard data and power interface, such as USB and the like. Inembodiments, at least one of the remote control 118 and data and powercable interface may have indicator lights, such as for charging status,charging on, charging complete, low battery, critical battery, datatransfer status, data transfer on-going, data transfer complete, and thelike. In embodiments, indicator status may also be displayed, such as onthe remote control's 118 LCD display. In embodiments, the data and powercable may be implemented in a plurality of configurations, such as dataand power in a single cable, data in one cable and power in a secondcable, common cable connectors for data and power, separate cableconnectors for data and power, common remote control 118 interfaceconnectors for data and power, separate connectors for data and power,and the like. In addition, the power portion of the data and power cablemay be shielded to avoid interference from coupling into the data linesof the data portion of the data and power cable interface. Inembodiments, the connection between the remote control 118 may or maynot be associated with a cradle for holding the remote control 118during recharging and/or data exchange. In embodiments, the remotecontrol's 118 data and power cable may make it more convenient to plugthe remote control 118 into a power outlet for charging by not requiringthe remote control 118 to be inserted into a cradle.

In embodiments, the remote control 118 may provide the data interface toenable internet browsing and program processing capabilities within theremote control 118. The data interface may interface with a computingfacility, such as personal computer, mobile computing device, PDA,mobile phone, and the like. The data interface may provide access toprograms such as calculator, word processor, image processor, internetbrowsers, and the like. In embodiments, the program status and contentaccessed may be displayed, such as on the remote control's 118 LCDdisplay. The status and the content of the program may include thenetwork connection status, internet usage time, available updates overthe network, and the like. In embodiments, the data interface may beimplemented in a plurality of configurations, such as data cable,wireless communication, and the like. In an embodiment, the data cablemay include the standard data interface, the USB, or the like. In anembodiment, the wireless technology may include BLUETOOTH,ultra-wideband (UWB), wireless USB (WUSB), IEEE 802.11, cellular, or thelike.

In embodiments, the data interface portion of the cable interface mayenable data exchange between the remote control 118 and the computingfacility such as for a programming the remote control 118, a fullreprogramming of the remote control 118, a partial reprogramming of theremote control 118, the reprogramming of an individual function in theremote control 118, trouble shooting the remote control 118, an exchangeof information between the remote control 118 and the computingfacility, the downloading of the contents of the remote control 118 ontothe computing facility, the downloading of the remote control's 118programming to the computing facility, the transferring of userpreferences to or from the computing facility including to another bed'sremote control 118, the upgrading of new features to the remote control118, download the usage history of the remote control 118, and the like.In embodiments, the data interface portion of the data interface mayprovide for a programming interface to setup or change the functions ofthe remote control 118, such as to reassign a button 2002 function,reassign a slider control 2004 function, provide new sequences availablefor slider control 2004, provide changes to power mode settings, changepower up default settings, and the like.

An aspect of the present invention relates to error reporting through atwo-way remote control system associated with an adjustable bed. Thetwo-way communications protocols may allow for a hand held remotecontrol (as describe herein) to communicate commands to an adjustablebed (as described herein) to control the adjustable bed. The bed maycommunicate back to the hand held remote control information relating tothe functioning of the bed. The controller of the bed may, for example,communicate errors to the remote control to facilitate maintenance andrepair of the adjustable bed systems. The error reporting may beprovided through codes such that a technician can understand them (i.e.with reference to a manual) or the reporting may involve presentinglanguage based error reports for easier diagnosis. In embodiments, theerror reporting is presented on a display screen on the hand held remotecontrol unit.

In embodiments, the remote control 118 may provide for error reporting,such as to identify failures or errors within the adjustable bedfacility 102, including within the remote control 118 itself. ReportedErrors may be characterized as fatal errors, such as when some functionwithin the adjustable bed facility 102 no longer working (e.g. a motorfailure, controller failure, sensor failure, etc.). Reported errors maybe characterized as; non-fatal errors, such as some function within theadjustable bed facility 102 not performing within required limits (e.g.,diagnostic information used in assessing the health of the adjustablebed facility 102, such as how well a hall sensor is working, how muchcurrent the motors are drawing, etc.); and the like. Informationassociated with error reporting may be sent to the remote control 118upon various events. For example, the systems may be arranged such thaterror reporting is done on an on-demand basis. That is, a user mayactivate an error reporting mode by either interacting with a userinterface on the bed or on the remote. Once placed in error reportingmode, errors may be communicated to the remote. Once the errorinformation is communicated to the remote, information relating to theerror(s) may be displayed on the remote. In other embodiments, errorsmay be sent when as they occur. The systems may be placed in a modewhere errors (either fatal or non-fatal or both) may be communicated tothe remote on an on-going or periodic basis. In yet other embodiments,the systems may be arranged where information relating to the errors maybe sent in an on-going basis and in an on-demand mode. or may be sent insome combination of on-demand and as errors occur. For example, fatalerrors may be reported to the remote control 118 automatically as errorsoccur, but other non-fatal errors or diagnostic information may bedelivered on-demand as they are requested.

In embodiments, fatal errors may include error messages associated witha motor that stops working, a controller communication failure, a remotecontrol 118 communication failure, a power supply 152 that stopsworking, critical software errors, printed circuit board hardwareerrors, a blown MOSFET, a shorted regulator, and the like. Inembodiments, non-fatal errors may include error messages associated witha power supply 152 that may be sourcing too much current, intermittenttwo-way RF communication, intermittent hall sensor reception, too muchheat near or around the printed circuit board, general software errors,motors that may be drawing too much current, motors that may have beenused excessively, beyond their duty cycle limits, and the like. Inaddition, non-fatal error or diagnostic information reporting mayinclude general usage history information that may be useful ininvestigating the cause of problems, such as recalling the last ten ortwenty actions of the adjustable bed facility 102, fatal errorinformation reporting that may include use history that may helpdetermine the cause of the fatal error, and the like.

In embodiments, the adjustable bed facility 102 may provide a steadystream of measurement data, such as in telemetry stream of engineeringdiagnostic information, to the remote control 118 or to a centralinformation gathering facility to be used in the diagnosis of errors. Inembodiments, information associated with error reporting may be storedfor later retrieval, either within the adjustable bed facility orexternal to the adjustable bed, such as in the remote control 118 orassociated with the central information gathering facility.

FIG. 17A depicts a remote control 1702 (e.g. remote control 118) tocontrol a frame position 1724 of an adjustable bed 1720 (e.g. asdescribed herein) in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The remote control 1702 is shown to have a front face of ahand-held housing 1704. The hand held housing 1704 of the remote controlmay include a touch sensor 1708 (e.g. touch sensors as described inconnection with user input devices 1602 and 1604), a processor 1712, atransmitter 1714 and a plurality of buttons and/or switches 1718. Inembodiments, the touch sensor 1708 may be adapted to facilitate a userin adjusting the frame position 1724 of the adjustable bed 1720. Thetouch sensor 1708 may be presented in a slider form. In embodiments, theslider may be in the form of a dial, a linear strip, a curvilinearstrip, a curve, or some other similar shape. In embodiments, the touchsensor 1108 may be a capacitive touch sensor.

The touch sensor 1708 described herein may be constructed using a touchscreen technology such as a capacitive touch screen, resistive touchscreen, surface acoustic wave touch screen, strain gauge touch screen,optical imaging touch screen, dispersive signal technology touch screen,acoustic pulse recognition touch screen, or other touch sensortechnology. The touch sensor 1708 described herein may be presented onthe remote control in a variety of shapes and sizes, including, but notlimited to: square, rectangular, linear, curvilinear, circular, round,etc. The shapes may be a pattern using a combination of shapes, such asan “X”, “Y”, “T”, etc. The slider form of the touch sensor mayfacilitate changing a parameter of the bed or auxiliary equipment when auser slides, taps, touches, or otherwise interacts with the touchsensor.

In an exemplary scenario, a user of the adjustable bed 1720 may like tochange the frame position 1724 of the adjustable bed 1720. The user maylike to adjust the frame position from time to time to feel comfortable.In this case, the user may use the touch sensor 1708 of the remotecontrol 1702 to adjust the frame position 1724 to a new frame position.

The touch sensor 1708 may be coupled with the processor 1712 and thetransmitter 1714. The transmitter 1714 may receive inputs from the touchsensor 1708 via the processor 1710. The inputs may correspond to theinteraction of the user with the touch sensor 1708. In embodiments, theinteraction of the user with the touch sensor 1708 may generateinstructions/control signals to control the frame position 1724. Theseinstructions/control signals may be processed in the processor 1712. Theprocessor 1712 may encrypt these instructions and provide to thetransmitter 1714. The processor may also, or instead, address theinstructions to be communicated to the bed such that only a bedassociated with the address responds to the information. The transmitter1714 may communicate these instructions/control signals to a control box1722 of the adjustable bed 1720 and a controller in the control box maythen control the adjustable parameter(s) of the bed in response to thereceived instructions.

In an embodiment, the transmitter 1714 may transmit the controlsignal/instructions wirelessly. The wireless communication may be byradio frequency (RF), UFH, HF, infrared (IR), BLUETOOTH, or the like. Inembodiments, the control box 1722 may have an antenna to receive thecontrol signals from the transmitter 1714. In an embodiment, thewireless technology may include BLUETOOTH, ultra-wideband (UWB),wireless USB (WUSB), IEEE 802.11, cellular, or the like.

On receiving the instructions/control signals, the control box 1722 mayadjust the frame position 1724 of the adjustable bed 1720. For example,the user may like to tilt the various sub frames of the adjustable bed1720 to sleep. The control box of the adjustable bed 1120 may tilt theposition of the sub frames of the adjustable bed 1720. In embodiments,the adjustable bed 1720 may have a skeleton structure that may includemore than one section/frame. The sections/frames may be fixed or may beadjustable/movable. Further, the sections/frames may be assembledtogether in such a way that the sections/frames may be able to moverelative to each other to provide the various bed positions required bythe user. To achieve this, the sections/frames may be connected togetherusing hinges or like devices that allow a freedom of motion betweenthem. Theses hinges/connections may be controlled by a ProgrammableLogic Circuit installed in the control box 1722.

In embodiments, the controller 150 may include a microcomputer, amicroprocessor, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, IO connection tocomponents, or the like. The controller 150 may provide an interface topermit software application updates to the controller 150 memory; thecontroller 150 memory may be over written. In other embodiments, the bedcontroller may be another form of controller, such as a set ofspecifically designed circuits designed to operate the adjustable bed1720.

In another example, the control box 1722 may adjust the frame position1724 in a configuration where only the head section may be adjusted toprovide the user an elevated upper body position.

One skilled in the art may understand that there may be many differentadjustable bed 1720 frame positions, which the user may change based onhis requirements. It should be noted that the remote control 1702 may beshown to adjust the adjustable bed 1720, but those skilled in the artmay appreciate that the remote control may control the parametersassociated with adjustable chairs, adjustable couches, and the like toprovide comfortable positions when the user may have limited mobility.For example, a user with hip replacement surgery may not be confined tothe bed but may require a chair or couch to be adjustable to provide acomfortable sitting position while providing control of other deviceswithin the room to limit the number of times the user must get up andadjust the devices. In an embodiment, while recovering from a surgery,an injury, an illness, or the like, the user may use more than one typeof rest facility. The user may require confinement to an adjustable bedfor a time and then, with health improvement, be able to move to eitheran adjustable chair or adjustable couch.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17B, the user may interact with thetouch sensor 1708 to adjust the settings of a massage motor 1728 of theadjustable bed 1720. For example, the user may like to adjust thefrequency, intensity, or other parameter of the massage motor 1728. Theuser may interact with the touch sensor 1708 and may provide theinstructions to increase/decrease the frequency of the massage motor1728. As described in the description for FIG. 17A, the touch sensor1708 may provide the instructions to the transmitter 1714 through theprocessor 1712. The transmitter 1714 may communicate the instructions tothe control box 1722 to change the frequency of the massage motor 1728.

In an embodiment, there may be at least one massage motor 1728 that mayprovide vibration and massage functions to the adjustable bed 1720. Inan embodiment, there may be more than one massage motors in theadjustable bed 1720. In this embodiment, using the remote control 1702,the user may be able to control the vibration mode of the multiplemassage motors; the mode may include the vibration setting for aparticular bed section, the vibration frequency of at least one of themassage motors, stopping the vibration of at least one of the vibrationmotors, or the like. In an embodiment, the multiple massage motors maybe operated independently or in combination. In an embodiment, thevibration and massage functions may function as a gentle-wake alarm,being activated in response to an alarm clock signal, which may begenerated by the electronic facility 140 (e.g., by an alarm clockrunning in the controller 150 or the like) or may be received as asignal from an external source (e.g., from the remote control 118 or thelike), and so on.

FIG. 17C depicts a remote control 1702 to control a plurality ofparameters 1730 of an adjustable bed 1720 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The plurality of parameters 1730may include the parameters associated with the actuators, springs,mattresses, a sub-frame, a skeleton structure, vibration motors,supports, safety brackets, or any other parameter associated with anyother facility of the adjustable bed 1720. For example, the user maywish to control the frame position as well as the air pressure/firmnessof the mattress of the adjustable bed 1720. Firstly, the user may setthe touch sensor 1708 of the remote control 1702 for the mattressparameters by using a button of the plurality of buttons 1718. Once thetouch sensor has been set for the mattress parameters, the user mayinteract with the touch sensor 1708 to generate the control signals toadjust the mattress parameters. After that, the user may switch the modeof the touch sensor 1708 of the remote control 1702 for the framecontrol parameters. Accordingly, the user may interact with the touchsensor 1708 to generate the control signals to adjust the frame position1724.

FIG. 18A depicts a remote control 1802 (e.g. remote control 118) forcontrolling an adjustable bed 1820 and an audio visual system 1824 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. To describe FIG.18A, reference will be made to FIG. 17, although it is understood thatthe remote control 1802 can be practiced in different embodiments. Thoseskilled in the art would appreciate that the remote control 1802 mayhave more or less system elements.

As shown, a hand held housing 1804 of the remote control 1802 may have afirst touch sensor 1808, a second touch sensor 1810, a processor 1812,and a transmitter 1814. The first touch sensor 1808 and the second touchsensor 1810 may be presented in a slider form. In embodiments, theslider may be in the form of a dial, a linear strip, a curvilinearstrip, a curve, or some other similar shape. In embodiments, the firsttouch sensor 1808 and the second touch sensor 1810 may be a capacitivetouch sensor.

In an exemplary scenario, the user may like to sleep and want to do sowhile watching TV. He may like to change the frame position and may liketo switch-off an audio visual system 1824 present in the room. The usermay use the first touch sensor 1808 and may provide the input to theprocessor 1812 by sliding the first touch sensor 1808 for changing aparameter of the plurality of parameters 1830. The plurality ofparameters 1830 may include the parameters associated with theactuators, springs, mattresses, a sub-frame, a skeleton structure,vibration motors, supports, safety brackets, or any other parameterassociated with any other facility of the adjustable bed 1820.

As explained in the description for FIG. 17A, the transmitter 1814 maycommunicate the control signals to the control box 1822 of theadjustable bed 1820. The control box 1822 may adjust the parameterassociated with the adjustable bed 1820. Similarly, the user mayinteract with the second touch sensor 1810 to control the audio-visualsystem 1824 present in the room. The transmitter 1814 of the remotecontrol 1802 may communicate the control signals pertaining to thesecond touch sensor 1810 to the audio visual system. In the example, theuser may provide the input by using the second touch sensor 1810 tolower the volume of the audio-visual system 1824. In an alternateembodiment, the control signals for the audio-visual system 1822, orother secondary system as described herein, may be sent to the on bedcontrol box 1822 and the control box 1822 may then send the controlsignals to the audio-visual system 1832, or other secondary system.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 18B, the second touch sensor may 1810may provide the input to control an audio system 1830 present in theroom. For example, in addition to changing a parameter associated withthe adjustable bed 1820, the user may like to change the volume orchannel of the audio system 1832 present in the room. The transmitter1814 may also transmit the control signals pertaining to the secondtouch sensor 1810 to control the audio system 1832.

Similarly, the second touch sensor may 1810 may provide the input tocontrol a computer facility 1834, HVAC system 1838, a kitchen appliance1840, a vehicle system (e.g. a remote starter for the vehicle) 1842, analarm system 1844, or other secondary or auxiliary system as shown inFIG. 18C, FIG. 18D, FIG. 18E, FIG. 18F, FIG. 18G respectively.

In embodiments, second touch sensor 1810 may provide an interface fortemperature sensing, such that the room temperature may be displayed onthe remote control at a user's request. Also, the user may be intimatedof, for example, the current room temperature, increase/decrease in theroom temperature, and the like. The second touch sensor 1810 may providethe rate of rise/drop in the temperature of the surroundings. Forexample, in case of an emergency such as a fire, the increased roomtemperature may be detected enabling the user to take the necessarysecurity measures. Also, in case of extremely low room temperatures, forexample, during winters, the sensor may detect the decrease in thetemperature of the surroundings. On such an indication, the user mayswitch on a heating device for maintaining the normal room temperature.The transmitter 1814 may transmit the control signals pertaining to thesecond touch sensor 1810 to control the zoned climate control system 164or a heating device. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that thetemperature sensing may have more or less system elements.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 18H, the first touch sensor 1808 mayprovide the control signals to control a first parameter 1844 of theadjustable bed 1820. In addition, the second touch sensor 1810 mayprovide the control signals to control a second parameter 1824 of theadjustable bed 1820. The first parameter 1844 and the second parameter1848 is shown to be massage motor and the frame position respectively,however those skilled in the art would appreciate that the first and thesecond parameter may be associated with the actuators, springs,mattresses, a sub-frame, a skeleton structure, vibration motors,supports, safety brackets, or any other facility of the adjustable bed1820.

FIG. 19 depicts a remote control 1902 (e.g. remote control 118) forcontrolling the parameters of an adjustable bed 1924 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. To describe FIG. 19, referencewill be made to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, although it is understood that theremote control 1902 can be practiced in different embodiments. Thoseskilled in the art would appreciate that the remote control 1902 mayhave more or less system elements.

As shown, a hand held housing 1904 of the remote control 1902 may have atouch screen 1908, a processor 1910, and a transmitter 1912. The touchscreen 1908 may enable the viewing of a plurality of images. Each of theplurality of images may be a representative of a different functionassociated with an adjustable bed 1924. As shown in the FIG. 19, theimage 1928 may represent the function corresponding to the frameposition. Similarly, the image 1930 may represent the functioncorrespond to the massage motor. The touch screen 1908 may be shown tohave the image 1928 and image 1930; however those skilled in the art mayappreciate that the touch screen 1908 may have multiple images. Eachimage may be representative of a different function associated with theadjustable bed 1924. Each of the plurality of images may be coded togenerate a control signal in response to an interaction with the image.For example, a user may touch the image 1928 to adjust the frameposition of the adjustable bed 1924. On touching the image 1928, acontrol signal may be generated to control the frame position. Thecontrol signals may be processed with in a processor 1910 and then sentto the control box 1918 of the adjustable bed 1924 by the transmitter ofthe remote control 1902.

In an embodiment, an array of vibratory motors may be mounted on the bedframe, in the mattress or otherwise located to impart massage actiononto the mattress. The array of vibratory motors may include two ormore, and maybe many more, vibratory motors. The array may be controlledas a singular unit, as individual units, as groups and/or sub groups ofunits or otherwise. In an embodiment, the remote control may display agraphical image of the array to allow a user to set parametersassociated with the array. The user may be able to interact with theremote (e.g. through an interactive image on the remote) to control thearray as a singular unit, as individual units, as groups and/or subgroups of units or otherwise.

The control box 1918 may adjust the parameters associated with the image1928 based on the received control signals. In the example, theparameters corresponding to the frame position may be adjusted.Similarly, the image 1930 may represent a function of the adjustable bed1924. For example, it may represent the settings for the massage motor.The user may touch the image 1930 by using his finger tip 1932. Thecontrol signals corresponding to the image 1930 may be generated andtransmitted to the control box 1918 of the adjustable bed 1924. In theexample, the parameters associated with the massage motor may beadjusted.

In embodiments, at least one of the images may be adapted to produce anadditional control signal when touched for a predetermined period oftime. For example, the image 1928, when touched for a predefined time,say five seconds, may produce an additional control signal. Thisadditional control signal may change a parameter associated with theadjustable bed 1924. In embodiments, the predefined period of time maybe set by the user of the remote control 1902. In embodiments, thepredefined period of time may be set by the manufacturer of the remotecontrol 1902.

In embodiments, the touch screen 1904 may include a facility to displayan auxiliary image 1934. The auxiliary image 1934 may correspond to anauxiliary system 1938. Examples of the auxiliary system 1938 may includebut may not be limited to an audio system, computer system, securitysystem, home security system, HVAC system, kitchen appliance, alarmsystem, vehicle system (e.g. remote starter for the vehicle), medicaldevice unit etc. When a user touches the auxiliary image 1934, controlsignal may be generated to control the parameters of the respectiveauxiliary system. For example, the auxiliary image 1934 may be the imageof the audio-visual system. The user may touch the image correspondingto the audio-visual system on the touch screen 1908 to control thevolume of the audio-visual system. The control signals may be generatedand transmitted by the transmitter 1912 to the audio visual system.

In one exemplary scenario, the auxiliary image 1934 may be the image ofthe blood pressure system. The user may touch the images correspondingto the blood pressure system on the touch screen 1908 to measure theblood pressure. The signals may be generated and transmitted by thetransmitter 1912 to the blood pressure meter. The blood pressure may beactivated to measure the blood pressure and heart rate of the user. Theuser may also activate and monitor its health conditions using aplurality of medical devices, for example, Electrocardiogram, glucosemeter, pulse oximeter, and the like.

The images may act as portals to other pages where further relatedcontrol parameters are offered. For example, the user may be presentedwith an icon representing an adjustable bed. Once the user interactswith the icon on the touch screen, or through a soft or hard stylebutton, a new page of information may be presented to the user forfurther selection/interaction.

FIG. 20A depicts a remote control 2002 (e.g. remote control 118) forcontrolling the parameters of an adjustable bed 2024 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. To describe FIG. 20, referencewill be made to FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19 although it is understoodthat the remote control 2002 can be practiced in different embodiments.Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the remote control 2002may have more or less system elements.

As shown, a hand held housing 2004 of the remote control 2002 may have auser interface 2008. The user interface 2008 may include a touch screen2010, a plurality of buttons 2012. The user interface 2008 may beadapted to facilitate the user in adjusting a parameter 2024 of anadjustable bed 2020. The parameter 2024 may be one of the pluralities ofparameters 1730. The instructions corresponding to the parameter 2024may be provided by the user through the user interface 2010. Theseinstructions may be sent to the processor 2014. On processing theseinstructions, control signals may be generated by a transceiver 2018. Inembodiments, the transceiver 2018 may operate a BLUETOOTH protocol. Inembodiments, the transceiver may be an RF transceiver.

These signals may be transmitted to a control box 2022 of the adjustablebed 2020. Once the parameter 2024 has been adjusted, the value of theadjusted parameter 2024 may be sent to the transceiver 2018 of theremote control 2002. In embodiments, the adjusted parameter 1924 may betransmitted to the user interface 2010.

In embodiments, the parameter may be a frame position 2028. As shown inFIG. 20B, the frame position 2028 may be adjusted by using the userinterface 2010. For example, the user may like to tilt the frame of theadjustable bed 2020 to feel comfortable. The angle through which itsframe can be tilted may be present on the user interface 2010. The usermay select the angle to tilt the frame of the adjustable bed 2024 byusing the touch screen 2008. The new frame position 2028 may be sent tothe transceiver 2018. In the example, the frame of the adjustable bed2020 may be tilted to 150 degrees from 100 degrees. Once the frameposition 2028 may be adjusted, the data indicative of the adjusted frameposition 2028 may be communicated to the transceiver 2018 by the controlbox 2022. In the example, a data indicating that the frame position 2028is adjusted to 150 degrees may be transmitted to the transceiver 2018.In embodiments, the adjusted frame position 2028 may be provided to theuser interface 2010 by the transceiver 2018.

In embodiments, the parameter may be associated with a massage motor2030. As shown in FIG. 20C, the settings of the massage motor 2030 maybe adjusted by using the user interface 2008. The new massage motorsettings may be sent to the transceiver 2018. For example, the user maylike to increase the frequency of the massage. The user may adjust thespeed of the massage by the user interface 2010. The transceiver 2018may collect the instructions from the user interface 2010 and maycommunicate to the control box 2022. The control box 2022 may increasethe frequency of the massage motor 2030. The new frequency of themassage motor 2030 may be provided to the transceiver 2018. Inembodiments, the new frequency of the massage motor 2030 may be providedto the user interface 2008 by the transceiver 2018.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20D, the control signals may betransmitted by a transmitter 2028 to adjust a parameter. For example,the user may provide the instructions to control a parameter 2024 usingthe user interface 2008. The user interface 2008 may provide theinstructions to a transmitter 2032 of the remote control 2002. Thetransmitter 2032 may provide the instructions to the control box 2022.The control box 2022 may adjust the parameter 2024 and provide theadjusted parameter 2024 to the receiver 2034 of the adjustable bed 2020.In embodiments, the transmitter 2032 and the receiver 2034 may operateat different frequencies. For example, the transmitter 2032 may operateat 2.4 gigahertz and the receiver 2034 may operate at 433.92 gigahertz.In embodiments, the use of different frequencies between transmittingand receiving may be used to avoid signal interference.

Certain embodiments have been depicted as having a transceiver andothers as having a transmitter and receiver pair. It should beunderstood that in certain embodiments, the transceiver may representmultiple components and/or systems and in other embodiments itrepresents a consolidated set of components and/or systems. If shouldfurther be understood that in certain embodiments, the transmitter andreceiver pairs may represent separate components and/or systems and inother embodiments they represent a consolidated set of components and/orsystems.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20E, the control signals may betransmitted by the transceiver 2018 to adjust the frame position 2028.In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20E, the control signals may betransmitted by the transmitter 2032 to adjust the frame position 2028.In addition, the data indicative of a receipt of the adjusted frameposition 2028 from the adjustable bed 2024 may be received by thereceiver 2034. In the example, the data indicating that the frame hasbeen tilted to 150 degrees may be provided to the receiver 2034. Inembodiment, the adjusted parameter pertaining to the frame position 2028may be provided to the receiver 2034.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20F, the control signals may betransmitted by the transceiver 2018 to adjust the settings of themassage motor 2030. In addition, the data indicative of a receipt of theadjusted setting of the massage motor 2030 from the adjustable bed 2024may be received by the receiver 2034.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20G, an error data 2032 may betransmitted to the transceiver 2032. For example, the user may haveliked to tilt the frame to 70 degrees from 45 degrees. However, thecontrol box 2022 may have adjusted it to 148 degrees due to frameposition limitation. In this scenario, an error data 2038 showing thatthe frame may have been adjusted to 65 degrees instead of 70 degrees maybe communicated to the transceiver 2018. In embodiments, this error data2038 may be transmitted to the user interface 2008. In embodiments, theerror data 2038 may indicate the failure of the control box 2022 toadjust the parameters.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20H, in addition to the control signsto adjust a parameter 2024, the transceiver 2018 may send the diagnosticsignals to the control box 2022. The diagnostic signals may cause theadjustable bed to switch to a diagnostic mode. A diagnostic data 2034may also be transmitted to the transceiver 2018.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20I, a new position indication 2044 ofthe adjustable bed 2024 may be transmitted to the transceiver 2018.Accordingly, the transceiver 2018 may provide the new positionindication 2044 to the user interface 2010. The new position indication2040 may be indicated digitally. For example, the 150 degree angle atwhich the frame may be tilted is communicated to the transceiver 2018 bythe control box 2022. In embodiments, the frame position 2028 may becalibrated. For example, frame position 2028 from angle 90 degree to 120degree may be referred as first frame position. Similarly, the frameposition 2028 from angle 120 degree to 150 degree may be referred assecond frame position. This first frame position or the second frameposition may be provided to the transceiver 2018. In embodiments, thedata indicating that the parameter has been adjusted may be provided tothe transceiver 2018. The new position indication 2044 may be displayedon the user interface 2010. In embodiments, a number corresponding tothe frame position 2028 may be displayed. Although, the new positionindication 2044 is explained by the frame position 2028, the newposition indication may represent a new setting of the massage motor2030 or any other parameter.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20J, graphical information 2048 of theadjusted parameter 2024 may be provided by the adjustable bed 2020 tothe transceiver 2018. The graphical information 2048 may indicate thenew setting of the adjustable bed 2020. For example, the graphicalinformation 2048 of the frame position 2028 may be provided to thetransceiver 2018. For example, if the upper portion of the bed frame isreadjusted to forty five degrees from horizontal, a graphical imagedepicting the angle may be presented on the screen 2008. Accordingly,the transceiver 2018 may provide the graphical information 2048 to theuser interface 2010.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20K, graphical representation 2050 ofthe adjustable bed parameter may be provided by the adjustable bed 2020to the transceiver 2018. Accordingly, the graphical representation 2050may be provided to the user interface 2010. In embodiments, thegraphical representation 2050 of the adjustable bed parameter mayindicate a current status of the parameter as indicated by theadjustable bed 2020. For example, a graphical representation of theadjusted frame position 2028 may be provided to the user interface 2010.In embodiments, a graphical representation of the adjusted frameposition 2028 may be provided to the receiver 2034 of the remote control2002.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 20L, in addition to the graphicalrepresentation 2050 of the adjustable bed parameter, graphicalrepresentation 2052 of the parameter associated with the auxiliarysystem 2054 may be provided to the user interface 2010. For example, agraphical representation of the adjusted parameters associated with theauxiliary system 2054 may be provided to the user interface 2010.Examples of the auxiliary system 2054 may include but are not limited toan audio system, a computer system, an HVAC system, a kitchen appliance,an alarm system, and a vehicle system. In embodiments, a graphicalrepresentation of the adjusted parameters of the auxiliary system 2054may be provided to the receiver 2034 of the remote control 2002.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 21A, the user interface may be a touchscreen user interface 2102. The user may interact with the touch screenuser interface 2102. The instructions from the user may be provided tothe control box 2022 by the transceiver 2018. The control box 2022 maycommunicate the graphical information 2048 of the adjusted parametersassociated with the adjustable bed 2020 to the transceiver 2018. Inembodiments, as shown in FIG. 21B, the control box 2022 may communicatethe graphical information 2048 of the adjusted parameter associated withthe adjustable bed 2020 to the receiver 2034. The transceiver 2018 mayprovide the graphical information 2048 to the touch screen userinterface 2102. Now, the user may interact with the graphicalinformation 2048 on the touch screen user interface 2102 to adjust theparameter 2024. For example, the graphical information corresponding tothe frame position 2028 may be provided to the touch screen userinterface 2102. The user may interact with the graphical informationcorresponding to the frame position 2028 and may increase the anglesbetween the frames.

FIG. 22 depicts a flow chart 2200 for changing an adjustable parameterassociated with an adjustable bed 1720 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. To describe FIG. 22, reference will be made toFIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21, although it may beunderstood that the method for changing an adjustable parameter can bepracticed in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the flow chart 2200 may have more or less number ofsteps.

At step 2202, a control signal to change an adjustable parameter of theadjustable bed 1720 may be sent to the adjustable bed 1720 by the remotecontrol 1702. As explained in the descriptions for FIG. 17, FIG. 18,FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21, the control signal may be generated bythe user interaction with the touch sensor 1708, a user interface 2010,a touch screen user interface 2102, or any other similar facility. Theadjustable parameter may include the parameter associated with theactuators, springs, mattresses, a sub-frame, a skeleton structure,vibration motors, supports, safety brackets, or any other parameterassociated with any other facility of the adjustable bed 1720. Inembodiments, the control signal may be provided to the control box 1722by the transmitter 1714, transceiver 2018, or any other similar facilityof the remote control 1702. For example, a control signal may be sentindicating change in the angle of the frame of the adjustable bed 1720from 120 degrees to 150 degrees. At step 2204, the adjustable bed 1720may change the adjustable parameter in accordance with the controlsignal. For example, the frame of the adjustable bed 1720 may beadjusted to 150 degrees. At step 2208, the adjustable bed 1720 may senddata that may indicate a new setting of the changed adjustableparameter. For example, the information that the frame of the adjustablebed 1720 has been tilted to 150 degrees may be relayed. At step 2210, anumber indicative of the data may be displayed on the remote control1702. For example, the frame angle (150 degrees) may be displayed on theuser interface 2010, a touch screen user interface 2102, or any otherfacility of the remote control 1702.

FIG. 23 depicts a flow chart 2300 for displaying a graphicalrepresentation of the adjustable parameter associated with an adjustablebed 1720 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Todescribe FIG. 23, reference will be made to FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19,FIG. 20, FIG. 21, and FIG. 22 although it is understood that the methodfor displaying a graphical representation of the adjustable parameterassociated with an adjustable bed 1720 can be practiced in differentembodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that the flowchart 2300 may have more or less number of steps.

At step 2302, a control signal to change an adjustable parameter of theadjustable bed 1720 may be sent through the remote control 1702. As thedescriptions for FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21indicate, the control signal may be generated by the user interactionwith the touch sensor 1708, a user interface 2010, a touch screen userinterface 2102, or any other similar facility. For example, a controlsignal for changing the 120 degree angle of the frame of the adjustablebed 1720 to a 150 degree angle may be sent. At step 2304, theinformation indicating that the parameter associated with the adjustablebed 1720 may be received by the remote control 1702 from the adjustablebed 1720. For example, the information that the frame of the adjustablebed 1720 has been tilted to 150 degrees may be received by the remotecontrol 1702. At step 2308, a graphical representation of the adjustedparameter may be displayed on the remote control 1702. For example, asshown in FIG. 20L, the various angles associated with the frame and thecurrent angle of the frame of the adjustable bed 1720 may be displayedon the touch screen 2008 of the user interface 2010. In embodiments, theuser may interact with the graphical representation to change anadjustable parameter of the adjustable bed 1720.

FIG. 24 depicts a flow chart 2400 for displaying a graphicalrepresentation of the adjustable parameter associated with an adjustablebed 1720 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Todescribe FIG. 24, reference will be made to FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19,FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23, although it is understood thatthe method for displaying a graphical representation of the adjustableparameter associated with an adjustable bed 1720 can be practiced indifferent embodiments. Those skilled in the art would appreciate thatthe flow chart 2400 may have more or less number of steps.

At step 2402, a control signal to change an adjustable parameter of theadjustable bed 1720 may be sent at a first frequency by the remotecontrol 1702. For example, a control signal for changing the angle ofthe frame of the adjustable bed 1720 from 120 degrees to 150 degrees maybe sent at 18.83 gigahertz frequency. At step 2404, the informationindicating that the parameter associated with the adjustable bed 1720may be received at a second frequency by the remote control 1702 fromthe adjustable bed 1720. For example, the information that the frame ofthe adjustable bed 1720 has been tilted to 150 degrees may be receivedat 4.46 gigahertz frequency. In embodiments, the first and the secondfrequency may be different. At step 2408, a graphical representation ofthe adjusted parameter may be displayed on the remote control 1702. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 20L, the various angles associated with theframe and the current angle of the frame of the adjustable bed 1720 maybe displayed on the touch screen 2008 of the user interface 2010.

FIG. 25 depicts a flow chart 2500 for adjusting an adjustable parameterassociated with an adjustable bed 1720 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. To describe FIG. 25, reference will be made toFIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, and FIG.24, although it is understood that the method for adjusting anadjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed 1720 can bepracticed in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the flow chart 2500 may have more or less steps.

At step 2502, an interactive graphical representation illustrative of anadjustable parameter of an adjustable bed 1720 may be presented on theremote control 2002. For example, a graphical icon, illustrating thevarious angles by which a frame of an adjustable bed 1720 may be tilted,may be presented on the touch screen user interface 2102. The user maymanipulate the graphical representation to adjust the parameter of theadjustable bed 2024 at step 2504. For example, the user may click andselect an angle of 150 degrees on the interactive graphicalrepresentation of the frame position present on the touch screen userinterface 2102. A control signal may be sent at step 2508 by the remotecontrol 1702 to adjust the adjustable parameter based on the usermanipulation at step 2504. For example, the control signals having theinstructions to change the frame angle to 150 degree may be sent to theadjustable bed 1720 by the remote control 1702. At step 2510, theadjustable parameter of the adjustable bed 1720 may be changed. Forexample, the frame angle of the adjustable bed 1720 may be changed to150 degrees.

FIG. 25 depicts a flow chart 2500 for adjusting an adjustable parameterassociated with an adjustable bed 1720 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. To describe FIG. 25, reference will be made toFIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23,and FIG. 24, although it is understood that the method for adjusting anadjustable parameter associated with an adjustable bed 1720 can bepracticed in different embodiments. Those skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the flow chart 2500 may have more or less steps.

At step 2602, an interactive graphical representation illustrative of anadjustable parameter of an adjustable bed 1720 and an adjustableparameter of the auxiliary system 2052 may be presented on the remotecontrol 1702. For example, a graphical icon, illustrating the variousangles by which a frame of an adjustable bed 1720 may be tilted, may bepresented on the touch screen user interface 2102. In addition, agraphical representation of the various values of the volume of a TV maybe presented on the touch screen user interface 2102. The user maymanipulate the graphical representation to adjust the parameter of theadjustable bed 2024 at step 2604. For example, the user may click andselect a 150-degree angle on the interactive graphical representation ofthe frame position present on the touch screen user interface 2102. Inaddition, the user may select a TV volume value from the graphicalrepresentation of the auxiliary system 2052 at step 2608. At step 2610,a control signal may be sent to the auxiliary system 2052 and to theadjustable bed 1720. The control signal may be sent by the remotecontrol 1702 to adjust the adjustable parameter based on the usermanipulation at step 2604 and at step 2608. For example, the controlsignals having the instructions to change the frame angle to 150 degreesmay be sent to the adjustable bed 1720 by the remote control 1702. Inaddition, the control signal to lower the volume of the TV may be sentto the TV. At step 2612, the adjustable parameter of the adjustable bed1720 and the auxiliary system 2052 may be changed. For example, theframe angle of the adjustable bed 1720 may be changed to 150 degrees.

FIG. 27 depicts a remote control 2002, including a piezoelectric circuit2702 of an adjustable bed 2020, in accordance with various embodimentsof the present invention. The remote control may include a handheldhousing 2004, a touch screen user interface 2102, a processor 2014, awireless transceiver 2018, and a piezoelectric circuit 2702. The touchscreen user interface 2102 may be provided with a plurality of buttons2012 and graphical information 2048. The plurality of buttons 2012 maybe utilized to adjust various operational settings and user preferencessuch as adjustment of bed angle, adjustment in massage motor speed, andthe like. The graphical information 2048 may indicate the newoperational settings of the adjustable bed 2020. For example, if anupper portion of the bed frame is adjusted to forty-five degrees from ahorizontal plane, a graphical image depicting the angle may be presentedon the remote control 2002.

The touch screen user interface 2102 may be adapted to facilitate theuser in adjusting a parameter 2024 of the adjustable bed 2020. Theinstructions corresponding to the parameter 2024 may be provided by theuser through the user interface 2102. These instructions may be sent tothe processor 2014. On processing these instructions, control signalsmay be generated by a transceiver 2018. In embodiments, the transceiver2018 may communicate via a BLUETOOTH protocol. In embodiments, thetransceiver may be an RF transceiver.

The piezoelectric circuit 2702 may be coupled to the remote control 2002touch-screen. The piezoelectric circuit 2702 may be utilized to enablethe remote control 2002 to vibrate. Changes in electrical potentialresulting from a user touching or pressing against the touch screen maycause the remote control to vibrate. Vibration may be used to indicatethat certain operational settings and user preferences have beenaccomplished/achieved. In an exemplary case, vibration of the remotecontrol 2002 may be utilized to indicate that the required massage motorspeed has been achieved by the adjustable bed 2020. In another exemplarycase, vibration of the remote control 2002 may be utilized to indicatethat the required frame position has been achieved by the adjustable bed2020. In yet another exemplary case, vibration of the remote control2002 may be utilized to indicate that the controller of the adjustablebed 2020 has reached a diagnostic mode. In still another embodiment,vibration of the remote control 2002 may be utilized to indicate off andon states of the timer. For example, vibration of the remote control2002 may indicate that the timer is about to go off in a predefinedtime. The predefined time may be ten seconds, one minute, an hour or thelike. Similarly, vibration of the remote control 2002 may be utilized toindicate user preferences associated with a second system. The secondsystem is any of the devices or systems associated with the adjustablebed 2020, such as a lighting system, an air purification system, anaudio system, a CD player, an MP3 player, a DVD player, a lamp, an alarmclock, a music player, a telephone, a video system, or an entertainmenttechnology system, computer system, information technology system,networking system, and the like.

In some embodiments, feedback from an accelerometer 1504 wired to theadjustable bed 1510 may be sent back to the processor 1508 forprocessing and relay to the piezoelectric circuit 2702. For example, theaccelerometer 1504 may generate one or more signals corresponding to thedeceleration in the movement of the adjustable bed 1510 caused by anadded significant weight. The accelerometer 1504 may transmit thesesignals to the processor 1508. The processor 1508 may instruct thecontroller 2002 to cease the movement of the adjustable bed 1510 andgenerate a vibration of the remote control 2002 via the piezoelectriccircuit 2702.

Referring to FIG. 28, both the remote control 118 and the communicationsmodule 144 may include a WIFI communication module 2802, a BLUETOOTHcommunication module 2804, an ANT communication module 2814, or thelike. The WIFI communication modules 2802 may be capable of pairing toand wirelessly communicating with each other, as may the BLUETOOTHcommunication modules 2804 with each other and the ANT communicationmodules 2814 with each other.

The communications module 144 may include a local area network module2808 capable of operatively coupling to a local area network, providingnetwork communications between the adjustable bed facility 102 and aremote network 2812. The local area network module 2808 may function asa router, gateway, proxy, or the like, providing network communicationsbetween the remote control 118 and the remote network 2812. Embodimentsof these network communications may include wireless communications(e.g., WIFI, BLUETOOTH, ANT, etc.) between the remote control 118 andthe communications module 144 and network communications (of any kind)between the communications module 144 and the remote network 2812.

Embodiments of the remote control 118 may include a smart phone or thelike and thus may additionally include a cellular communications module2810 (e.g., for CDMA, GSM, or other such communications). The cellularcommunications module 2810 may provide a path for network communicationsthat perhaps does not involve the adjustable bed facility 102 (e.g.,communication directly between the remote control 118 and a cellularnetwork, etc.). Conversely, embodiments of the remote control 118 maycommunicate with the remote network 2812 via only wirelesscommunications to/from the communications module 144, without utilizingthe cellular communications module 2810. For example, a user of theremote control 118 could access resources on the remote network 2812(e.g., websites, etc.) even in environments (e.g., hospitals, etc.)where cellular communications are prohibited, unavailable, impractical,or the like.

Referring to FIG. 29, a user initiates a pairing function of the remotecontrol 118 (step 2902), for example by pressing a button, touching anicon, entering a password or other code into the remote control 118, andso on. In embodiments where both the remote control 118 and thecommunications module 144 support at least two of WIFI, BLUETOOTH, andANT communications, the user may select which of these communicationstechnologies to use for performing the pairing function. Alternatively,when at least two communications technologies are available, the remotecontrol 118 may default to attempting to perform the pairing functionvia one communication technology first and then, if that fails, toattempting to perform the pairing function via another. For example, theremote control 118 may use BLUETOOTH in the first attempt to perform thepairing function, WIFI in the second attempt, and so on.

In any case, initiating the pairing function may include discovering, atthe remote control 118, which adjustable bed facilities 102 areavailable for pairing (e.g., there may be more than one adjustable bedfacility 102 within communication range of the remote control 118) andthen selecting one of those adjustable bed facilities 102 for pairingwith the remote control 118. In embodiments, for example, a user may beled through the steps of discovery/selection via prompts on a screen ofthe remote control 118 and may provide relevant feedback (e.g., anindication as to which adjustable bed facility 102 to select, etc.) viainputs of the remote control 118.

Initiating the pairing function may also include establishingcommunications between the remote control 118 and the communicationsfacility 144 of the adjustable bed facility 102. Methods of establishingWIFI, BLUETOOTH, ANT, etc. communications between two devices are knownin the art and may include entering a password or the like at the remotecontrol 118.

Once communications are established between the remote control 118 andthe communications module 144 of the adjustable bed facility 102, theremote control 118 may pass information about itself (e.g., phonenumber, MAC address, software version, user preferences stored in theremote control 118, etc.) to the communications module 144 (step 2904),which may store them for later use.

Later, communications between the remote control 118 and thecommunications module 144 may be terminated and then reestablished (step2908). In embodiments, the initial pairing and communications (see steps2902 and 2904, described above) may occur via one communication module(e.g., BLUETOOTH communication module 2804) and then subsequentcommunications may occur via another (e.g., WIFI communication module2802). Thus, the communication modules may employ incompatibleinterfaces to physical transmission media (e.g., BLUETOOTH and WIFI areincompatible because they rely on different physical specifications thatdo not support signal and binary transmission between the two).

Generally, communications modules are incompatible when signal andbinary transmission between the modules is impossible due to adifference in the media layers (physical layer, data link layer, andnetwork layer) of the communications modules. For example, at thephysical level such differences between communications modules maymanifest as dependence on different communications media (e.g., copperwire vs. optical cable vs. air); dependence on different configurationsof a communications media (e.g., copper configured as 10BASE2 vs. copperconfigured as 100BASE-TX; air used with FSK modulation vs. air used withASK modulation; and so on); etc. A variety of incompatible differencesbetween media layers will be appreciated and, thus, a variety ofincompatibilities between communications modules will likewise beappreciated.

In embodiments, the communications module 144 may use the informationthat it has about the remote control 118 (e.g., the information itreceived in step 2904, described above) to establish an ad hoc WIFInetwork between itself and the remote control 118. For example, thecommunications module 144 may configure its WIFI communication module2802 to accept an ad hoc connection from a device having the MAC addressof the remote control 118 (i.e., the remote control 118 itself). Incases where the initial pairing and communications occurred viaBLUETOOTH, this may alleviate the need to ever enter a WIFI networkaccess password or the like into the remote control 118. In particular,the WIFI communications module 2802 of the communications module 144 maybe configured (e.g., by way of the information about the remote control118 received via BLUETOOTH communications) to acceptconnections/communications from the remote control 118. Alternatively,however, the WIFI communications module 2802 may be configured to acceptconnections/communications from any WIFI-enabled device that providesthe correct password.

In embodiments, establishing communications may be as simple astransmitting a message at some time without acknowledgement of receipt.Establishing communications may also include transmitting a message andthen retransmitting the message upon failure to receive anacknowledgement of receipt of the message. Establishing communicationsmay also include establishing a connection via a connection-basedprotocol (such as and without limitation TCP/IP). Establishingcommunications may include selecting a frequency division, timedivision, code division, modulation, etc. that is suitable fortransmitting and receiving data between communications modules. Avariety of techniques for establishing communications will beappreciated.

Referring to FIG. 30, the remote control 118 may communicate with anumber of adjustable bed facilities 102. As described below, thecommunication includes acknowledgements and may occur over multiplechannels, allowing substantially reliable communication between theremote control 118 and the adjustable bed facilities 102 even in thepresence of interference, for example as might occur in an environmentwith other remote controls communicating with other adjustable bedfacilities.

A plurality of wireless communication channels (embodied, e.g., asfrequency-division multiplexed channels, time-division multiplexedchannels, code-division multiplexed channels, etc.) may be availablebetween the remote control 118 and the adjustable bed facility 102. Forexample, these wireless channels may be embodied as BLUETOOTH channelsbetween BLUETOOTH modules 2804, WIFI channels between the WIFI modules2802, and so on. Communication between the remote control 118 and theadjustable bed facility 102 begins over a default channel selected fromthe plurality of wireless communication channels (step 3002). Upondetecting a second wireless communication channel with less interferencethan the default channel, the remote control 118 may select the secondwireless communication channel for future communication with theadjustable bed facility 102 (step 3004). The remote control 118 mayinstruct the adjustable bed facility 102 to communicate using the secondwireless communication channel. Thereafter, communications continue overthe second wireless communication channel until a communications failureoccurs (step 3008). In embodiments, the remote control 118 transmits acommand to the adjustable bed facility 102 instructing the adjustablebed facility 102 to switch to the new channel.

Communications between the remote control 118 and the adjustable bedfacilities 102 may include commands from the remote control 118 andacknowledgements from the adjustable bed facilities 102. Acommunications failure occurs when an expected command oracknowledgement fails to arrive prior to expiration of a timeout period.In particular, after sending a command to the adjustable bed facility102, the remote control 118 expects to receive, prior to expiration of atimeout period, an acknowledgement from the adjustable bed facility 102;after receiving a command from the remote control 118, the adjustablebed facility 102 transmits an acknowledgement and expects to receive,prior to expiration of a timeout period, a subsequent command from theremote control 118.

If the remote control 118 detects the communications failure (i.e.,timeout prior to receiving expected acknowledgement), the remote control118 reverts back to communicating over the default channel (step 3010).Eventually, the remote control 118 may again find another channel withless interference, at which point the remote control 118 may select thatchannel for future communication (step 3004).

If the adjustable bed facility 102 detects the communications failure(i.e., timeout prior to receiving expected subsequent command), theadjustable bed facility 102 begins alternating between the secondchannel and the default channel, listening for a the subsequent commandfrom the remote control 118 on both channels, sequentially, (step 3012)until it receives the subsequent command. Having received the subsequentcommand, the adjustable bed facility 102 stops scanning and insteadcontinues listening on the channel that carried the subsequent messagereceived (step 3014).

Referring to FIG. 31, embodiments of the remote control 118 may commandmore than one adjustable bed facility 102 at a time. The remote control118 may send a command to a first adjustable bed facility 102 (step3102); wait for a finite timeout period to receive an acknowledgementfrom the first adjustable bed facility 102 (step 3104); upon receivingthe acknowledgement or upon expiration of the timeout period, transmitthe command to a second adjustable bed facility 102 (step 3108); waitfor the finite timeout period to receive an acknowledgement from thesecond adjustable bed facility 102 (step 3110); and so on. Subsequentcommands may be sent, for example, in response to user input to theremote control 118. These subsequent commands may includeretransmissions of earlier commands for which acknowledgement was notreceived prior to expiration of the timeout period. For example andwithout limitation, the remote control 118 may send a command to a firstbed, fail to receive acknowledgement from the first bed prior toexpiration of a timeout period, send the command to a second bed,successfully or unsuccessfully receive acknowledgement from the secondbed prior to expiration of a timeout period, and then retransmit thecommand to the first bed.

Referring to FIG. 32, the adjustable bed facility 102 may be outfittedwith a motion sensor 3202 operatively coupled to lay-flat logic 3204 fortransitioning the adjustable bed facility 102 to a laying-flat position.The motion sensor 3202 is configured to detect motion of an actuator120. In embodiments the motion sensor 3202 may include a Hall effectsensor, an optical source/detector pair separated by a material that isalternately transparent and opaque as it translates between thesource/detector pair, and so on. In embodiments, the lay-flay logic 3204may be implemented in hardware, software, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 33, in response to a command to lay the adjustable bedfacility 102 flat, the lay-flat logic 3204 causes or activates anactuator 120 to move in a direction bringing the adjustable bed facility102 to a laying-flat position (step 3302). As the adjustable bedfacility 102 moves, the motion sensor 3202 detects the motion (step3304). The actuator 120 reaches a physical limit when the bed is laidflat, preventing further motion by the actuator 120, even though thelay-flat logic 3204 continues to urge the actuator 120 to move in thedirection that brought the adjustable bed facility 102 to thelaying-flat position (step 3308). The motion sensor 3202 detects thelack of motion (step 3310). The lay-flat logic 3204 responds to the lackof motion (either immediately or after a period of time) by deactivatingthe actuator 120 (step 3312). By detecting the lack of motion anddeactivating the actuator 120, the lay-flat logic 3204 conservesenergy/frees up power to be used by other aspects of the adjustable bedfacility 102. In addition, it should be appreciated that the lay-flatlogic 3204 does not depend upon the magnitude of the speed of the bed'smotion, only the state of motion (i.e., moving vs. not moving). Thus,any configuration in which the actuator 120 can move at all in responseto the lay-flat logic 3204 (e.g., actuators of differentspeeds/strengths, things of different weights laying on the bed, etc.)can operate according to this method.

As described above for example with reference to FIG. 2, the electronicfacility 140 includes a controller 150 and a communications module 144.

Referring now to FIG. 34, an embodiment of the controller 150 mayinclude a programmable logic controller (PLC) or the like, including aMicroController Unit (MCU) 3402, a 2-way RF communication module 3404,and a data port 3408 (e.g., serial data port RS485 or the like). Anembodiment of the communications module 144 may include an MCU 3402, theWIFI communication module 2802, the BLUETOOTH communication module 2804,the ANT communication module 2814, and a low-power or short-range radiointerface 3410 (e.g., 434 MHz radio interface of the like). Thecommunications module 144 may be in operative communication with a dataoutlet 3412 through which an IPHONE or smartphone, computer, network, orthe like communicates with the communications module 144. Additionallyor alternatively, an IPHONE, DROID phone, or smartphone 3432 (orcomputer, network, or the like) may wirelessly communicate with thecommunications module 144.

The WIFI communication module 2802 implements and communicates via oneof the family of IEEE 802.11 standards. The BLUETOOTH communicationsmodule 2804 implements and communicates via to one of the family ofBLUETOOTH standards (e.g., Bluetooth v1.0, v1.0B, v1.1, v1.2, v2.0+EDR,v2.1+EDR, v3.0+HS, v3.0+EDR, etc.). The ANT communication module 2814implements and communicates according to one of the family of ANTstandards (e.g., ANT, ANT+, etc.). In embodiments, the ANT communicationmodule 2814 supports communications of at least 1 Mbps in a broadcastnetwork, a peer-to-peer network (acknowledged or bidirectional), asecure authenticated network, a star network, a shared uni-directionalnetwork, a shared bi-directional network, an ad-hoc automatically sharednetwork, a scanning mode network (e.g., a single hub node receivingcommunications from a plurality of other nodes), a practical meshnetwork (e.g., multiple star networks connected by shared relay nodes),a shared cluster network (e.g., networks with shared hub nodes inbidirectional communication), and so on.

The electronic facility 140 may be operatively coupled to a power downbox 3414, a wire remote 3418 (e.g., an embodiment of the remote control118), a wireless remote 3420 (e.g., an embodiment of the remote control118), a Y cable 3422, a lift motor 3424 (e.g., an embodiment of theactuator 120), a massage motor 3428 (e.g., an embodiment of thevibration facility 132), a personal computer 3430, and so on.

The power down box 3414 may include a housing containing a battery and abutton or the like to initiate a power down sequence. The power downsequence may command the controller 150 to lay the adjustable bedfacility 102 flat. Without limitation, this may include invoking, inresponse to a press of the button, the method described hereinabove withreference to FIG. 33.

The Y cable 3422 may make a shared, wired communications path availablebetween controller 150 and a number of other devices.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,vibration of the remote control 2002 may be initiated automatically assoon as the user preferences are adjusted. In such a scenario, a usermay perform a task to govern the vibration mode. In an embodiment,vibration may be initiated based on user interaction with the remotecontrol 2002 through touch-based methods. For example, vibration may beinitiated through a single touch on the touch screen user interface2102. In another example, vibration of the remote control 2002 may beinitiated through a continual touch on the touch screen user interface2102. In another exemplary scenario, vibration of the remote control2002 may be initiated through a persistent touch on the touch screenuser interface 2102. In yet another scenario, vibration of the remotecontrol 2002 may be initiated through a swipe or any other similarmechanism without limitations. In certain embodiments of the presentinvention, human biometric and behaviometric techniques may be employedto initiate the vibrations for various operational characteristics.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, thetouch screen user interface 2102 may also allow the user to adjustvarious operational settings and user preferences using various methodsincluding, without limitations, single touch, persistent touch,continual touch, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 36, the adjustable bed facility 102 may include apre-set anti-snore position 3602 for quieting a snoring occupant of theadjustable bed facility 102. The anti-snore position 3602 may be a headelevation position, such as 7-degrees above flat, 15-degrees above flat,something between 7- and 15-degrees above flat, and so on. Inembodiments the adjustable bed facility 102 may assume the anti-snoreposition 3602 (e.g., by adjusting the position of the head frame 1004)in response to a user input. Without limitation, the user input mayinclude a direct input to the adjustable bed facility 102 such as apress of a button or touch screen on the adjustable bed facility 102, avoice-command input, a signal transmitted by the remote control 118 (orthe like) in response to the user input, and so on. In embodiments theadjustable bed facility 102 may assume the anti-snore position 3602 inresponse to a sensor input indicating that the occupant of theadjustable bed facility 102 is or may be snoring. For example andwithout limitation the sensor may include an acoustic sensor responsiveto the sound of snoring; an air-flow sensor responsive to inhibitedbreathing such as due to snoring or sleep apnea, and so on; a vibrationsensor that detects a characteristic vibration of the user associatedwith snoring; or the like.

Referring to FIG. 37, a user 3708 may lay upon a mattress 3702 of theadjustable bed facility 102. The user 3708, the mattress 3702, and theadjustable bed facility 102 may be instrumented with sensors 3704. Thesensors 3704 may detect various indicia of sleep quality and report theindicia (e.g., via wired or wireless communication) to other elements ofthe adjustable bed facility 102, the remote control 118, the auxiliarysystems 114, and so on. This allows for both real-time adjustment of theadjustable bed facility 102 to improve the sleep quality and reportingof the indicia and the sleep quality. Without limitation the reportingmay occur via the remote control 118 or any other device incommunication with the sensors 3704 or the adjustable bed facility 102.In addition to any and all such devices described herein and elsewhere,the other device in communication with the sensors 3704 may include abed-side display device.

The real-time adjustment of the adjustable bed facility 102 may occur ata natural waking point as determined by reference to an indication ofsleep quality. The indication of sleep quality may indicate that a user3708 is lightly asleep, deeply asleep, in Rapid Eye Movement (REM)sleep, and so on. For example and without limitation, the sensors 3704may include a headband that senses indicia of sleep quality such as andwithout limitation to electrical signals produced by the user's 3708brain; the sensors 3704 may include a motion sensor that detects motionof the user 3708 (e.g., rolling, kicking, arms moving, etc.); thesensors 3704 may include a pressure sensor that detects a sleep positionof the user 3708; the sensors 3704 may include an acoustic sensor thatdetects a noise of the user 3708 (e.g., snoring, sleep talking, etc.);the accelerometer 1504; and so on.

Referring to FIG. 38, a controller may receive 3802 an anti-snoreactivation signal from a remote control; monitor 3804 a sensor 3704 fora first reading indicative of a snoring user; activate 3808 an actuator120 to move an adjustable bed facility 102 into an anti-snore position3602; monitor 3810 the adjustable bed facility 102 to confirm that theadjustable bed facility 102 achieves the anti-snore position 3602;monitor 3812 the sensor 3704 for a second reading; and, after failing toreceive the second reading, activating 3814 the actuator 120 to move theadjustable bed facility 102 into a second anti-snore position.

Referring to FIG. 39, the remote control 118 may include a touchscreengraphical user interface 3902 adapted to display an anti-snore icon3904, receive a touch input indicating user-selection of the anti-snoreicon 3904, and transmit an anti-snore activation signal in response tothe touch input.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the user may define differenttypes of vibrations for indicating various operational settings and userpreferences. In another embodiment, sound effects may also be associatedin conjunction with the vibrations to indicate various operationalsettings and user preferences.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,vibrations may be initiated in ways other than through touch-basedmodes. In an exemplary scenario, vibrations may be initiated usingbuttons provided on the remote control 2002. For example, severalbuttons may be provided that may designate a specific user preference.When a user presses a specific button, the user preference associatedwith that button may be identified and the remote control 2002 may beenabled to vibrate as soon as the specific user preference resets. Inanother embodiment, a single button may be provided to performoperations associated with various user preferences.

In accordance with various embodiments, icons may be provided on theremote control 2002 to control various operational settings and userpreferences. These icons may be related to a timer, a clock, massagemotor speed, horizontal bed angle setting, vertical bed angle setting,bed height, bed width, bed length, and the like. Similarly, variousicons related to the second system may also be provided on the remotecontrol 2002. Interaction with any of these icons may result invibration of the remote control as described herein.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, theremote control 2002 may be utilized to perform several operations suchas controlling the adjustable bed 2020 based on user preferences,identifying resetting of user preferences associated with the adjustablebed 2020, controlling operations of the second system based on userpreferences, identifying resetting of user preferences associated withthe second system, and the like without limitations.

The elements depicted in flow charts and block diagrams throughout thefigures imply logical boundaries between the elements. However,according to software or hardware engineering practices, the depictedelements and the functions thereof may be implemented as parts of amonolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or asmodules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, orany combination of these; and all such implementations are within thescope of the present disclosure. Thus, while the foregoing drawings anddescriptions set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems, noparticular arrangement of software for implementing these functionalaspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context.

Similarly, it will be appreciated that the various steps identified anddescribed above may be varied, and that the order of steps may beadapted to particular applications of the techniques disclosed herein.All such variations and modifications are intended to fall within thescope of this disclosure. As such, the depiction and/or description ofan order for various steps should not be understood to require aparticular order of execution for those steps, unless required by aparticular application, or explicitly stated or otherwise clear from thecontext.

The methods or processes described above, and steps thereof, may berealized in hardware, software, or any combination of these suitable fora particular application. The hardware may include a general-purposecomputer and/or dedicated computing device. The processes may berealized in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embeddedmicrocontrollers, programmable digital signal processors, or otherprogrammable device, along with internal and/or external memory. Theprocesses may also, or instead, be embodied in an application specificintegrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic,or any other device or combination of devices that may be configured toprocess electronic signals. It will further be appreciated that one ormore of the processes may be realized as computer executable codecreated using a structured programming language such as C, an objectoriented programming language such as C++, or any other high-level orlow-level programming language (including assembly languages, hardwaredescription languages, and database programming languages andtechnologies) that may be stored, compiled or interpreted to run on oneof the above devices, as well as heterogeneous combinations ofprocessors, processor architectures, or combinations of differenthardware and software.

Thus, in one aspect, each method described above and combinationsthereof may be embodied in computer executable code that, when executingon one or more computing devices, performs the steps thereof. In anotheraspect, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform the stepsthereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number of ways, orall of the functionality may be integrated into a dedicated, standalonedevice or other hardware. In another aspect, means for performing thesteps associated with the processes described above may include any ofthe hardware and/or software described above. All such permutations andcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferredembodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications andimprovements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention isnot to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood inthe broadest sense allowable by law.

All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method in an adjustable bed, the methodcomprising: monitoring a sensor for a first reading indicative of asnoring user; activating an actuator to move the adjustable bed into ananti-snore position; monitoring the adjustable bed to confirm that itachieves the anti-snore position; monitoring the sensor for a secondreading indicative of a non-snoring user; and after failing to receivethe second reading, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bedinto a second anti-snore position.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinmonitoring the sensor for the first reading includes monitoring thesensor in response to receipt of an anti-snore-mode activation signalfrom a remote control.
 23. A system, comprising: an adjustable bedincluding an actuator that moves an adjustable portion of the adjustablebed between a plurality of positions; a sensor that produces a readingindicative of a snoring user; a handheld remote control including atouchscreen graphical user interface, the remote control adapted totransmit an anti-snore-mode activation signal in response to userselection of an icon via the interface; and a controller operativelycoupled to the actuator and the sensor, the controller adapted to carryout the following steps: receiving the activation signal; monitoring, inresponse to receipt of the activation signal, a sensor for a firstreading indicative of a snoring user; activating the actuator to movethe adjustable bed into an anti-snore position; and monitoring theadjustable bed to confirm that it achieves the anti-snore position. 24.The system of claim 23, wherein the controller is further adapted tocarry out the following steps: monitoring the sensor for a secondreading indicative of a non-snoring user; and after failing to receivethe second reading, activating the actuator to move the adjustable bedinto a second anti-snore position.
 25. A method of controlling anadjustable bed, comprising: in response to an indication by a user thatthe user would like the adjustable bed in a position to mitigatesnoring, causing a bed frame position controller to move a mechanicalcomponent of the adjustable bed to a pre-selected position and causingthe controller to confirm that the pre-selected position has beenachieved by monitoring the position of the mechanical component andcomparing the position of the mechanical component with the pre-selectedposition.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the bed frame positioncontroller maintains the pre-selected position in a table of positionsalong with an indication that the pre-selected position is the positionto mitigate snoring.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the userinitiates the indication by making a selection on a hand held remotecontrol.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the hand held remotecontrol includes a touch screen graphical user interface and theselection is made by touching a selectable icon indicative of theposition to mitigate snoring.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein thehand held remote control includes a telephone feature.
 30. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the hand held remote control includes a cell phonefeature.
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein the hand held remotecontrol includes a VoIP feature. 32-35. (canceled)